A local authority may designate a private road as a prospectively maintainable highway which means that the council may adopt the road such that it is maintained at public expense. The authority maintains a register of prospectively maintainable highways.

New roads that have been constructed in accordance with the council's guidelines are normally adopted by way of an agreement between the developer and the council. Local authorities are obliged to publish a register of road adoptions and road works, which is available for public inspection.

A traffic regulation order issued by the local authority where works on the highway, or some large deliveries, require a road to be closed temporarily to general traffic.

The Council has a duty to protect the public rights on the road and footpath network. The effectiveness of legislation in protecting the public is dependent on the compliance of others. The local highways authority has a duty to maintain adopted highways to safe and serviceable standards

The local authority can impose weight restrictions on public roads for structural or for environmental reasons. Such restrictions prevent large vehicles from using inappropriate roads, routes and areas. It is the responsibility of the local authority to monitor and deal with abuse of any imposed weight restrictions.

Roads may be closed permanently either because they are not necessary, a better route will replace it or to allow a new development with planning permission to be built.

Where areas of public highway are considered by the Highway Authority to be surplus to highway requirements, the public rights of way and the highway rights can be extinguished (cancelled) by an order made by the Magistrates Court.

The local authority can make a toll order to charge users travelling on specified road(s) within the authority area. The order should specify specify the any time limits within which the toll should apply, the toll charge(s) and any exemptions or reductions.