S2251 responds to changes in TfL’s organisation, ways of working and wider industry best practice. As a local application annex to GG 119, it adopts national principles while retaining the level of oversight required for one of the UK’s most complex urban road networks.

The outcome is reduced ambiguity, clearer accountability and greater consistency in how Road Safety Audits are commissioned, delivered and assured.

Clearer ownership and accountability
The move from Client Organisation to Overseeing Organisation removes long-standing ambiguity on third-party schemes and clearly defines TfL’s role as Highway Authority. The Overseeing Organisation Representative now provides a single, accountable route for approving audit briefs, responses and exemptions.

Higher standards for RSA team approval
Third-party RSA teams must be approved through the TfL Verification Form, with explicit expectations around competence — including recognised RSA certification and professional membership such as CIHT SoRSA. Unlike GG119, all Auditors working on the TLRN MUST be a member or fellow of SORSA (along with 10days formal training and 2 days CPD per annum). This gives TfL and scheme promoters greater confidence that audits are being delivered by suitably qualified, independent professionals.

Improved assurance through centrally managed templates
RSA report templates are now issued centrally by the Overseeing Organisation Specialists and include unique reference numbers. This strengthens traceability, reduces risk and improves governance, while keeping the reporting format familiar for practitioners.

Clearer, more transparent audit responses
The Road Safety Audit Response Decision Log clarifies responsibilities between the Design Organisation and the Overseeing Organisation, ensuring that decisions are, justified and revisited at subsequent stages, if appropriate.