Digital traffic regulation orders will be generated and either exposed to be readable by websites, or uploaded to a hub. As far as current levels of digitisation go, local authorities vary considerably. Some traffic authorities already have software in place to do the work, but others that still use products such as Word to make a text-based order will have to make significant progress to embrace the digital world when it comes to TROs. How DTROs will help with change Lambeth Council has launched a trailblazing Kerbside Strategy, with the aim of making its kerbside fairer, more accessible and more climate resilient. The kerbside is commonly used for parking cars and is the largest public space controlled by Lambeth Council, with an area equivalent to 194 football pitches. Lambeths Kerbside Strategy commits it to reclaim at least 25 per cent of this space from vehicle parking and introduce sustainability measures, such as planting trees, creating scooter and bike bays, and installing electric vehicle charging points. It also plans to implement sustainable drainage systems, to address flood risk. The scheme also aims to encourage accessible and active travel and to reduce emissions and traffic. In our inner London borough, where only 40 per cent of households have access to a car, we want to make our streets much more accessible, useable and fairer for everyone, says Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, deputy leader (sustainable Lambeth and clean air) at Lambeth Council. We need people to feel confident walking, cycling, wheeling and scooting in our borough. Our Kerbside Strategy will create social spaces, including Londons biggest community parklet programme so people can enjoy their neighbourhoods without them feeling dominated by parked cars. Lambeth has adopted a digital traffic regulation orders system, which is provided by AppyWay2, and the council says it is a much more efficient way of recording, consulting and changing parking and moving traffic restrictions. The portal is available publicly, so the public can see the restrictions in place, and it also enables the council to consult on changes that are proposed. The introduction of DTROs will play a significant role in the delivery of our Kerbside Strategy, says Chowdhury. They will make planning for kerbside projects easier, for example prioritising locations with road danger issues or higher levels of deprivation. Finally, the DTROs will help us communicate more effectively, for example sharing visual data with the public about the delivery of the Kerbside Strategy. The best of both worlds But certain aspects of the TRO process are likely to remain analogue for some time. Im a fan of appropriate technology, but this is not always the newest technology, says Thompson. Some aspects of the TRO process are likely to remain analogue for example communicating change to local businesses and residents. Digital communication will be available, via the council website and emails and also local community websites. However, not everyone might be able to, or want to, access information in this way. So in some circumstances we will be sticking with old-school leafleting and posters. I fully expect that councils will continue to post notices alerting residents to possible parking changes on lampposts for years to come, and rightly so. The DfT was approached for comment for this article but was not in a position to contribute at this time, saying it will respond in the future when its policies on the future for TROs are more developed. However, you can get more information on DTROs from the DfT emailing list by contacting streetmanager@dft.gov.uk 1 bit.ly/PNSept23BV 2 streets.appyway.com/lambeth More information The BPA has information and guidance about TROs in its Resource Library. See britishparking.co.uk/TrafficManagement and also britishparking. co.uk/TRO-Discovery-Project 16 PN Sept 2023 pp14-17 Lead Feature.indd 16 24/08/2023 11:01 m211