Section 2 Duty of principal councils to make reports.I1C1C2
England, Wales and Scotland
It shall be the duty of every principal council to prepare, at such time or times as the Secretary of State may direct, a report containing—
an assessment of the levels of local road traffic in their area, and
a forecast of the growth in those levels.
Subject to subsection (5), the report must also specify targets for—
a reduction in the levels of local road traffic in the area, or
a reduction in the rate of growth in the levels of such traffic.
The report must also contain any other information or proposals which—
relate to levels of local road traffic in the area, and
are required by guidance under subsection (6) F1or (in the case of a report prepared by a London council) directions under subsection (6A).
The report—
may specify different targets for different parts of the principal council’s area or for different classes of local road traffic, and
may specify targets under subsection (2)(a) in relation to certain classes of local road traffic, or in relation to part of the area and under subsection (2)(b) in relation to other classes of local road traffic or in relation to another part of the area.
If a principal council is a constituent council of a mayoral combined authority or mayoral CCA, the duty imposed on the council by subsection (1) does not apply to the levels of local road traffic using key route network roads in the council’s area.
A report under this section prepared by a London council must take account of the Mayor of London’s transport strategy and the council’s local implementation plan; and—
any targets specified in such a report pursuant to subsection (2), and
any proposals contained in such a report pursuant to subsection (3),
must be in conformity with that strategy and that plan.
A principal council are not obliged to specify targets under subsection (2)(a) or (b) in relation to their area, or in relation to any part of their area, if they consider it inappropriate to do so, but in that case the report must state—
that they consider it inappropriate to do so, and
their reasons for so considering.
The Secretary of State may issue guidance to principal councils in relation to—
the preparation and content of reports under this section, and
consultation in connection with the preparation of such reports;
and a principal council shall have regard to any guidance when preparing a report.
The Mayor of London may give directions or issue guidance to London councils in relation to any matter in relation to which the Secretary of State may issue guidance under subsection (6).
The Mayor of London must not give any direction or issue any guidance under subsection (6A) which conflicts with guidance under subsection (6).
A London council preparing a report under this section—
shall comply with any directions given under subsection (6A), and
shall have regard to any guidance issued under that subsection.
Where a principal council have prepared a report under this section they shall—
send the report to the Secretary of State F5and, if the council is a London council, send a copy of the report to the Mayor of London, and
publish a copy of the report in such manner as they consider appropriate.
The Secretary of State shall lay a copy of every report received by him under subsection (7)(a) before each House of Parliament.
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Words in s. 2(3)(b) inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 280(3) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(c), Sch. Pt. 3
- F2
S. 2(4ZA) inserted (29.4.2026) by English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (c. 23), s. 108(1)(3), Sch. 11 para. 11 (with s. 102)
- F3
S. 2(4A) inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 280(4) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(c), Sch. Pt. 3
- F4
S. 2(6A)-(6C) inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 280(5) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(c), Sch. Pt. 3
- F5
Words in s. 2(7)(a) inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 280(6) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(c), Sch. Pt. 3
Modifications
- C1
S. 2: transfer of functions (1.4.2014) by The Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral Combined Authority Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/865), arts. 1, 11(1) (with arts. 8(4), 11(7), 12)
- C2
S. 2 functions made exercisable (E.W.) (8.5.2017) by The West Midlands Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/510), arts. 1(2), 7
Commencement
- I1
S. 2 wholly in force at 21.4.2000; s. 2 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 4(3); s. 2 in force at 10.3.2000 as regards to England and Wales by S.I. 2000/735, art. 2; s. 2 in force at 21.4.2000 as regards to Scotland by S.S.I. 2000/101, art. 2