EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

This Bill is to confer on Kent County Council powers in relation to filming on highways.

Clause 1 deals with citation.

Clause 2 defines certain expressions used in the Bill.

Clause 3 enables the Council, by order or by notice, to prohibit or restrict traffic on roads for the purpose of enabling the making of a film to take place. It also enables closures for the purpose of enabling members of the public to watch the making of a film or to reduce the disruption to traffic likely to be caused by the making of a film. The clause modifies section 16A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c. 27) which provides powers to traffic authorities to close roads for the purpose of special events, such as cycle races. Notices can be issued to enable the prohibition or restriction of traffic if it appears to the Council that the prohibition or restriction should be imposed without delay.

By altering the application of section 16B of the 1984 Act, Clause 4 sets out restrictions which would apply to orders made and notices given for film making purposes. An order under Clause 3 may not remain in force for longer than 7 days whilst a notice under that clause may not continue in force for a period of more than 24 hours. Section 16B is also altered so as to prevent any more than six film orders being made in one calendar year.

Clause 5 enables the Council to grant permission to any person making a film to place temporarily on the highway any object or thing required for the purposes of making a film. The clause contains safeguards for statutory undertakers.

EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS