Everyone has the right of passage along a right of way. The type of right of way determines how people can use that route. For example, a footpath only has a right to walk. It does not have the right to ride a horse or drive a 4x4.
A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is a mechanism for suspending some or all of the rights that exist. A TRO does not remove the right of passage. However, it does make it illegal to exercise that right.
All Traffic Regulations must be made through the process set out in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. A TRO can be temporary, only apply at certain times or only apply to certain types of users. Provided it can be expressed clearly, a TRO could cover it.
TROs are not limited to recreational highways like footpaths and bridleways. We see them on the main road networks all the time. They are shown on circular signs with a white background and a red outer edge. Speed limit signs look like this because they are a special form of TRO and are partly covered by different legislation.
Here we are concerned with TROs on recreational highways.
By far the most common form of TRO in the countryside is to manage motor vehicles. Sometimes banning them completely, other times just in winter months when the weather is generally wetter. Although this is common, it is often not the best means to manage motorists in the countryside.
Other common uses for TROs is stopping cyclists using certain bridleways or even carriageways. Equally, horses are sometimes prevented from using a bridleway.
There are many cases where TRO signs exist without the backing of a valid TRO order. These are against the regulations and can be ignored but be very sure that an order has been not been made. It is a criminal offence to use a highway in contravention of a Traffic Regulation Order.
Sometimes councils will put up totally unnecessary signs. For example, "No Cycling" signs on a footpath. This is not within the council's powers, is a waste of resources that could be better used elsewhere on recreational highways and totally unnecessary as cycling is already prohibited on the footpath and the signs don't change this.
A further form of TRO worthy of mention is the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO). As the name suggests, these are time limited and used to stop the public using the route either whilst it is repaired or recovers naturally from surface damage.