There seems to be some thought that without this the Police Officers would be directing traffic without authority and are then personally liable for any accidents.
I think police officers have the permanent authority to direct traffic (unlike civilians), so can do so without a road closure.
"Authorised persons" may signal for traffic to stop or go, and these include police officers, highways agency traffic officers, and school crossing patrols.
I'm guessing traffic wardens (rather than civil enforcement officers) can do it too, as I've seen them stand in when traffic signals were out of action.
Whilst there hasn't been a police presence for the Sciennes cycle in a while, I did co-opt some convenient officers to let us pass through a set of traffic signals at red last summer.
Actual accompanying police were a bit of a pain (as I recall, and in my opinion only), as they insisted on a very long, hazardous single file approach, resulting in danger from drivers turning through the ride.
We now, without police escorts (probably best not to Google that!), simply fill the entire city-bound carriageway, resulting in a short, thick bunch, which clears junctions much quicker and can be overtaken in a much shorter distance.
I think Police Scotland don't wish to actually escort or marshal the event, rather than requiring a TTRO to be able to direct traffic - the TTRO being required to close the road.
I don't think this has changed since last year, so there's still the possibility that a passing officer might choose to direct traffic at the King's Theatre, but that is unlikely to be promised, as "operational reasons" could prevent their attendance.
Robert
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