The Road Traffic Regulation Act is a piece of primary legislation that allows highway authorities to lawfully restrict and manage traffic (including cycling and walking - both considered 'traffic').
In particular it sets out (in Part I) how Traffic Regulation Orders (or Traffic Management Orders) can be employed to limit or prevent the use of the road by a particular form of traffic.
Section 9 of Part I deals with Experimental Traffic Orders. Experimental Traffic Orders do not require a statutory period of consulation.