Last updated: 29 September 2026
Key facts
- Amount: £37,000 per highway authority in England, as a one-year payment
- Total: around £5.9m across the sector
- Eligibility: the same amount for every authority, regardless of size or existing D-TRO software
- Timing: payments outside London expected from mid-October 2026, with London boroughs to follow
- Use: flexible, including new software, additional modules or project work with an existing supplier
- Source: DfT D-TRO technical webinar, 24 September 2026
The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed new burdens funding to help local authorities move to the Digital Traffic Regulation Order (D-TRO) service. The update was shared at DfT’s latest D-TRO technical webinar on 24 September 2026.
How much D-TRO funding will each council get?
Every highway authority in England will receive a one-year payment of £37,000. That is around £5.9m across the sector. The amount is the same for every authority, regardless of size or whether it already has D-TRO software in place.
When will the funding be paid?
Payments to authorities outside London are expected from mid-October 2026. London boroughs will follow.
What can the funding be used for?
The funding can be used flexibly. Authorities can put it towards new software, additional modules or project work with their existing supplier.
”We've been campaigning for the digitisation of traffic orders for more than a decade, so this is very welcome news, especially now that funding has been confirmed. Local authorities can finally leave the dark ages behind. Instead of managing regulation through paper-based processes, they can start focusing on achieving their targets.
Dan HubertCEO & Founder, AppyWay
What should traffic order teams do now?
For traffic order teams, this is significant new money arriving mid-year. It also sends a clear signal that D-TRO is happening. The funding will be paid to the authority, so teams responsible for D-TRO should start the conversation with their head of service or budget holder now, before payments arrive.
”I've lost count of the conversations I've had with traffic order teams who know what needs to be done but have never had the budget to do it. That's why this matters. £37,000 is a real chance to get ahead of D-TRO.
Mike PotterHead of Commercial, AppyWay
My advice is: don't assume the money will find its way to you. Talk to your head of service now, before it arrives. D-TRO is a statutory requirement for every English Highway Authority, and the teams delivering it should have first call on this funding.
What happens next?
DfT is expected to publish further details soon. We will update this article when it does.
Find out more about D-TRO
Track the legislation and what it requires on AppyWay’s D-TRO Hub. If you’re looking at how to put the funding to work, see Mapper Lite, the fast track to D-TRO, or Traffic Suite.
