The Act Overview Equipment and signs
65.Sections 20 to 22 deal with the infrastructure necessary within a zone.
66.Section 20 is about the use of equipment: primarily approved devices but also other structures (such as posts on which to mount the devices). Where a low emission zone scheme exists, the traffic authority for the roads concerned may install devices and construct other structures for use in connection with the scheme. This includes the ability to maintain these items once they are in place, and the ability to remove them too. The traffic authority may also sub-contract and authorise someone else to do this on their behalf. The equipment and buildings concerned must be on a road, but the definition of “road” is such that this includes the verges too.
67.This power is granted to the traffic authority: the traffic authority for most roads within a zone will be the local authority operating the zone. However, the traffic authority for trunk roads is the Scottish Ministers. Accordingly, if any trunk roads are included within a zone, it will be Scottish Ministers who are entitled to install any necessary equipment in connection with those roads.
68.Section 21 allows the Scottish Ministers to make regulations about the approval of devices used in connection with low emission zone schemes. This would allow, for example, rules to be made about the equipment that can be used or the process a local authority has to go through to satisfy itself about the suitability of the equipment before using it. The types of devices approved under this power could include automatic number-plate recognition cameras. If regulations make rules about a particular type of device then a device of that type cannot be used unless it has been approved under, or in accordance with a process set out in, the regulations.
69.Section 22 relates to traffic signs but is otherwise in similar terms to section 20. However, it places a duty on the traffic authority to place and maintain signs, rather than simply the ability to do so. It does not deal with the placing of the signs though. The authority for the placing of signs will be found in section 65(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
70.In addition, section 64 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 requires traffic signs of a type specified by the relevant authority to be of the size, colour and type prescribed by regulations. Under changes made by section 41 of the Scotland Act 2016, the relevant authority is, in relation to a function within devolved competence, the Scottish Ministers. Accordingly, it will be possible to lay down requirements as to the detail of the signs used in connection with low emission zone schemes by using the existing power in relation to traffic signs.