Motor Car Act 1903-1904

Edward c.36

This Act introduced ...
Driving licences and braking requirements.
Either introduced or changed registration numbers.
Raised the speed limit to a heady 20mph.

Later superceded by the Road Traffic Act 1930

However, a section of great interest is -

Section 10

(1)

Local Authorities within the meaning of the preceding section shall give public notice of any regulation of the Local Government Board, made in pursuance of this ACT, prohibiting or restricting the use of a motor car on any Highway, or part of a Highway, and for the purpose of giving effect to any such regulation, shall place notices in conspicuous places on or near the Highway, part of Highway, limit or place to which the regulation refers.

(2)

The size and colour to be made by the local Government Board.

Which gives rise to the following thoughts -

In other words any Highway (Footpath, Bridleway or Carriage road) on which vehicles are prohibited, then the Highway Authority have to erect a sign or notice of an approved type, to indicate to the drivers they cannot use that Highway.

I can not find any repeal of this section and in fact the Road Traffic Act 1984 simply re-enforces it. Before this date they used to drive cars anywhere.

The onus is on the Highway Authority to sign roads we cannot use, not to sign the ones we can use. No sign to the contrary then it is vehicular, any comment?

Regards Brian Lewis

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