In the context of transport and highways, consultation is the process by which highway authorities discuss changes with local residents and transport users.
The process involves finding out views and concerns people may have, and also ways in which any of the proposed changes may be improved, or adapted.
It should be stressed that consultations are not referendums on those proposed changes. They are a mechanism for finding out views, and ultimately, for implementing schemes in the best way possible, but they are not an absolute vote on whether a scheme should go ahead or not.