1 Interpretation

In this Act the following terms shall have the following meanings, that is to say–

• "local road traffic" means traffic consisting of mechanically propelled vehicles on roads for which the Secretary of State is not the traffic authority;

• "principal council" means any council which is a local traffic authority;

• "traffic authority" and "local traffic authority" have the meaning given by section 121A of the [1984 c. 27.] Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

2 Duty of principal councils to make reports

(1) 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–

(a) an assessment of the levels of local road traffic in their area, and

(b) a forecast of the growth in those levels.

(2) Subject to subsection (5), the report must also specify targets for–

(a) a reduction in the levels of local road traffic in the area, or

(b) a reduction in the rate of growth in the levels of such traffic.

(3) The report must also contain any other information or proposals which–

(a) relate to levels of local road traffic in the area, and

(b) are required by guidance under subsection (6).

(4) The report–

(a) may specify different targets for different parts of the principal council´s area or for different classes of local road traffic, and

(b) 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.

(5) 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–

(a) that they consider it inappropriate to do so, and

(b) their reasons for so considering.

(6) The Secretary of State may issue guidance to principal councils in relation to–

(a) the preparation and content of reports under this section, and

(b) consultation in connection with the preparation of such reports;

and a principal council shall have regard to any guidance when preparing a report.

(7) Where a principal council have prepared a report under this section they shall–

(a) send the report to the Secretary of State, and

(b) publish a copy of the report in such manner as they consider appropriate.

(8) The Secretary of State shall lay a copy of every report received by him under subsection (7)(a) before each House of Parliament.

3 Expenses

There shall be paid out of monies provided by Parliament–

(a) any expenses incurred by the Secretary of State under or by virtue of this Act, and

(b) any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable out of moneys so provided under any other Act.

4 Citation, extent and commencement

(1) This Act may be cited as the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997.

(2) This Act does not extend to Northern Ireland.

(3) This Act shall come into force on such day as may be appointed by order made by statutory instrument by the Secretary of State; and different days may be appointed for different purposes or different areas.

(4) Before making an order under subsection (3), the Secretary of State shall consult such associations of local authorities as appear to him to be concerned.