Legalize / United Kingdom / Public General Act

Highways Act 1980

Type Public General Act

Publication 1980-11-13

Last updated 2026-03-13

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

In both section 34(1)(a) and section 50(1)(a) of the Rent Act 1977, for the words from “(certain” onwards substitute “ or section 205 of the Highways Act 1980 (execution of street works under private street works code), or ”.

Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978

30

In section 3(3) of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 for “the Highways Act 1959” substitute “ the Highways Act 1980 ”.

SCHEDULE 25

Highway authorities: general provision.

GLA roads

14A

(1) The Secretary of State may by order designate highways or proposed highways as highways which are to be GLA roads.

(2) Any highway or proposed highway so designated—

(a) shall become a GLA road, and

(b) if it is a trunk road or other highway for which the Secretary of State is the highway authority, shall accordingly cease to be such a road or highway,

on such date as may be specified in that behalf in the order.

(3) Orders under this section may be made or amended at any time before the beginning of the term of office of the first Mayor of London.

14B

(1) The Mayor of London shall keep under review the system of highways and proposed highways in Greater London and the allocation of responsibility for that system between the different local highway authorities.

(2) If the Mayor of London considers it expedient that—

(a) any highway or proposed highway in Greater London, other than a trunk road, should become a GLA road, or

(b) that any GLA road should cease to be such a road and should become a road for which the highway authority is a London borough council or the Common Council,

the Greater London Authority may by order direct that that highway or proposed highway shall become, or (as the case may be) that that road shall cease to be, a GLA road as from such date as may be specified in that behalf in the order.

(3) Where an order under subsection (2) above directs that a highway or proposed highway shall become a GLA road, it shall become such a road as from the date specified in that behalf in the order.

(4) Where an order under subsection (2) above directs that a GLA road shall cease to be such a road, then, as from the date specified in that behalf in the order, the road shall cease to be a GLA road and the following authority, that is to say—

(a) where the road is situated in a London borough, the council for the London borough, and

(b) where the road is situated in the City, the Common Council,

shall become the highway authority for the road.

(5) An order under this section shall be of no effect unless—

(a) it is made with the consent of the relevant highway authority; or

(b) if that consent is refused, it is confirmed (with or without modification) by the Secretary of State.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5) above, the relevant highway authority is—

(a) in the case of an order directing that a highway or proposed highway shall become a GLA road, the authority which is the highway authority for the highway or proposed highway; and

(b) in the case of an order directing that a GLA road shall cease to be such a road, the authority which will become the highway authority for the road in consequence of the order.

14C

(1) A certificate by or on behalf of Transport for London that any highway or proposed highway is, or is not, for the time being a GLA road shall be evidence of the facts stated in the certificate.

(2) A certificate under subsection (1) above may describe the highway or proposed highway in question by reference to a map.

(3) Transport for London shall prepare and maintain a record of the highways which are for the time being GLA roads.

(4) The record required to be prepared and maintained under subsection (3) above may consist of—

(a) a list;

(b) a map; or

(5) Transport for London shall deposit a copy of that record with the Greater London Authority, each of the London borough councils and the Common Council.

(6) Transport for London, and the Greater London Authority, each of the London borough councils and the Common Council, shall make the record, or (as the case may be) the copies of the record deposited with them, available for inspection by the public at all reasonable hours.

14D

(1) Any reference in any provision of this Act or any other enactment to a GLA road shall be construed as a reference to a highway or proposed highway in Greater London which is for the time being a GLA road by virtue of—

(a) section 2(3) above;

(b) an order made by the Secretary of State under section 14A above; or

(2) The functions conferred or imposed on the Greater London Authority in relation to GLA roads shall be functions of the Authority which are exercisable by the Mayor of London acting on behalf of the Authority.

(3) Subsection (2) above does not apply in relation to any function expressly conferred or imposed on the London Assembly.

Compulsory powers for creation of footpaths , bridleways and restricted byways.

Highway authority for road which ceases to be a trunk road.

Compulsory powers for creation of footpaths , bridleways and restricted byways.

31A

(1) The appropriate council shall keep, in such manner as may be prescribed, a register containing such information as may be prescribed with respect to maps and statements deposited and declarations lodged with that council under section 31(6) above.

(2) Regulations may make provision for the register to be kept in two or more parts, each part containing such information as may be prescribed with respect to such maps, statements and declarations.

(3) Regulations may make provision as to circumstances in which an entry relating to a map, statement or declaration, or anything relating to it, is to be removed from the register or from any part of it.

(4) Every register kept under this section shall be available for inspection free of charge at all reasonable hours.

(5) In this section—

“appropriate council” has the same meaning as in section 31(6) above;

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations;

“regulations” means regulations made by the Secretary of State.

Power of parish and community councils to maintain footpaths and bridleways.

Compulsory powers for creation of footpaths , bridleways and restricted byways.

Corners

Road humps

90A

(1) A highway authority may construct road humps in a highway maintainable at the public expense for which they are the highway authority if—

(a) the highway is subject to a statutory speed limit for motor vehicles of 30 miles per hour or less; or

(b) (whether or not the highway is subject to such a limit)the road humps are specially authorised by the Secretary of State, or

and may remove any road humps so constructed by them.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

90B

(1) The Secretary of State may construct road humps in a highway maintainable at the public expense for which he is not the highway authority if—

(a) the highway is subject to a statutory speed limit for motor vehicles of 30 miles per hour or less; or

(b) (whether or not the highway is subject to such a limit)the road humps are specially authorised by him,

and may maintain and remove any road humps so constructed by him.

(2) The consent of the local highway authority for the highway concerned is required for the construction of road humps under this section. . .

(3) The Secretary of State and the local highway authority may enter into an agreement for the carrying out by the local highway authority of any works which the Secretary of State has power to carry out under this section.

(4) Subject to subsection (5) below, the consent of the Secretary of State is required before the local highway authority or any other person having power to maintain the highway may remove or otherwise interfere with a road hump constructed under this section.

(5) If the Secretary of State so directs with the consent of the local highway authority the local highway authority shall have the same powers in relation to a road hump constructed under this section as they have in relation to a road hump constructed by them under section 90A above.

(6) Where a road hump has been constructed under this section, the local highway authority and any other person having power to maintain the highway may reimburse the Secretary of State the whole or part of his expenses in relation to the road hump.

90C

(1) Where the Secretary of State, a strategic highways company or a local highway authority propose to construct a road hump under section 90A or 90B above, he, it or they shall consult with—

(a) the chief officer of police for the area in which the highway concerned is situated; and

(b) such other persons or bodies as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(2) The Secretary of State , a strategic highways company or local highway authority shall also—

(a) publish in one or more newspapers circulating in the area in which the highway concerned is situated; and

(b) place at appropriate points on that highway,

a notice of the proposal stating the nature, dimensions and location of the proposed road hump and the address to which and the period within which any objections to the proposal may be sent.

(3) The period stated in a notice under subsection (2) above shall be not less than 21 days beginning with the date on which the notice is first published in accordance with paragraph (a) of that subsection.

(4) The Secretary of State, a strategic highways company or local highway authority shall consider any objections sent to him, it or them in accordance with a notice under subsection (2) above and may, if he, it or they think fit, cause a local inquiry to be held.

(5) Subsections (2) to (5) of section 250 of the Local Government Act 1972 (provisions as to inquiries) have effect in relation to an inquiry held under subsection (4) above as they have effect in relation to an inquiry held under that section, but with such modifications as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(6) Before making regulations under this section the Secretary of State shall consult such representative organisations as he thinks fit.

90CA

(1) A road hump falls within this section if—

(a) it is constructed by a local highway authority in Greater London, and

(b) the requirements of subsections (2) and (3) below have been complied with.

(2) The requirement of this subsection is that before starting to construct the road hump the authority concerned gives the Secretary of State notice stating—

(a) the nature, dimensions and location of the proposed road hump,

(b) the spacing between the proposed road hump and any other humps constructed, or proposed to be constructed, in the vicinity,

(c) the type and description of signs which are proposed to be located in the highway in connection with the proposed hump,

(d) the statutory speed limit for motor vehicles to which the highway where it is proposed to construct the hump is subject, and

(e) the period (of not less than one month) within which, and the address to which, the Secretary of State may send any comments on the proposal to the authority.

(3) The requirement of this subsection is that in deciding—

(a) whether to proceed with the construction of the road hump, and

(b) what the nature, dimensions and location of the road hump as constructed are to be,

the authority concerned has regard to any comments made by the Secretary of State within the period stated in the notice.

90D

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such provision in relation to the construction and maintenance of road humps as appears to him to be necessary or expedient in the interests of safety and the free movement of traffic, and may in particular—

(a) provide that road humps shall be constructed only in highways of such descriptions and in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the regulations;

(b) impose requirements as to—

(i) the nature, dimensions, location and spacing of road humps;

(ii) the placing of signs of such type or character as may be so prescribed;

(iii) the carrying out and maintenance of other ancillary or consequential works.

(2) Regulations under this section may make different provision for different cases, as for example for road humps and highways of different descriptions.

(3) Before making any regulations under this section the Secretary of State shall consult with such representative organisations as he thinks fit.

(4) Regulations under this section do not apply where a road hump is specially authorised by the Secretary of State, but conditions attached by him to the authorisation may, in particular, relate to any of the matters with respect to which regulations may be made under this section.

(5) Regulations under this section do not apply where a road hump falls within section 90CA above.

90E

(1) Where the requirements of subsections (1A), (1B) or (1C) are satisfied in relation to a road hump, the road hump shall not be treated as constituting an obstruction to the highway but as part of the highway, so that in particular—

(a) the obligation of any person to maintain the highway; and

(b) the obligation of any person having power to break open the highway to make good any damage or otherwise reinstate the highway,

extend to maintaining or, as the case may be, making good any damage to or otherwise reinstating the road hump.

(1A) The requirements of this subsection are that—

(a) regulations under section 90D above apply to the road hump,

(b) the road hump conforms to the regulations, and

(c) if the road hump is in a highway maintainable at the public expense, the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) below are satisfied.

(1B) The requirements of this subsection are that—

(a) the road hump is specially authorised by the Secretary of State,

(b) the road hump conforms with the conditions attached to the authorisation, and

(c) if the road hump is in a highway maintainable at the public expense, the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) below are satisfied.

(1C) The requirements of this subsection are that—

(a) the road hump falls within section 90CA, and

(b) if the road hump is in a highway maintainable at the public expense, the condition mentioned in subsection (2)(a) below is satisfied.

(2) The further conditions applicable in the case of a road hump in a highway maintainable at the public expense are—

(a) that the highway is for the time being subject to a statutory speed limit for motor vehicles of 30 miles per hour or less or the road hump is specially authorised by the Secretary of State; and

(b) that the road hump was constructed under section 90A or 90B above or was constructed at a time when the highway was not maintainable at the public expense.

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

90F

(1) In this Act “road hump” means an artificial hump in or on the surface of the highway which is designed to control the speed of vehicles, and references to a road hump include references to any other works (including signs for lighting) required in connection with such a hump.

(2) In sections 90A to 90E above—

Other traffic calming works

90G

(1) A highway authority may, in a highway maintainable at the public expense for which they are the highway authority, construct traffic calming works which—

(a) are of a description prescribed by regulations under section 90H below, or

(b) are specially authorised by the Secretary of State, or

and may remove such works (whenever constructed).

(2) A highway authority shall not exercise the powers conferred by subsection (1)(a) or (b) above except in accordance with any requirements imposed by the regulations or authorisation concerned.

(3) Requirements imposed by a special authorisation given by the Secretary of State under this section may relate to any matter with respect to which regulations may be made under section 90H below.

(4) Nothing in this section shall prejudice any power of a highway authority to construct or remove traffic calming works which are neither of a description prescribed by regulations under section 90H below nor specially authorised by the Secretary of State.

90GA

(1) Traffic calming works fall within this section if—

(a) the works are constructed by a local highway authority in Greater London, and

(b) the requirements of subsections (2), (3) and (4) below have been complied with.

(2) The requirement of this subsection is that before starting to construct the works the authority concerned gives the Secretary of State notice stating—

(a) the nature, dimensions and location of the proposed works,

(b) the type and description of signs which are proposed to be located in the highway in connection with the proposed hump, and

(c) the period (of not less than one month) within which, and the address to which, the Secretary of State may send any comments on the proposal to the authority.

(3) The requirement of this subsection is that in deciding—

(a) whether to proceed with the construction of the works, and

(b) what the nature, dimensions and location of the works as constructed are to be,

the authority concerned has regard to any comments made by the Secretary of State within the period stated in the notice.

(4) The requirement of this subsection is that the authority concerned complies with such requirements as to consultation and publicity as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

90H

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations—

(a) prescribing any description of traffic calming works for the purposes of section 90G above, and

(b) making such provision (if any) as appears to him necessary or expedient in relation to the construction, maintenance and removal of works of a prescribed description.

(2) Regulations under this section may in particular—

(a) provide that works of a prescribed description shall be constructed only in highways of such descriptions and in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the regulations;

(b) impose requirements as to—

(i) the dimensions and location of works;

(ii) the placing of signs;

(iii) the carrying out and maintenance of ancillary or consequential works;

(d) provide that, in such cases or circumstances as the regulations may specify, works may be constructed or removed only with the consent of a police officer of such class as the regulations may specify.

(3) Regulations under this section may make different provision for different cases.

90I

(1) Works (whenever constructed) to which this subsection applies shall not be treated as constituting an obstruction to the highway but as part of the highway, so that in particular—

(a) the obligation of any person to maintain the highway, and

(b) the obligation of any person having power to break open the highway to make good any damage or otherwise reinstate the highway,

extend to maintaining or, as the case may be, making good any damage to or otherwise reinstating the works.

(2) Subsection (1) above applies—

(a) to works of a description prescribed by regulations under section 90H above or specially authorised under section 90G above which conform to any requirements imposed by the regulations or authorisation, and

(b) to works which fall within section 90GA above.

Construction of bridge to carry existing highway maintainable at public expense.

95A

A highway authority may install and maintain on or near a highway structures and equipment for the detection of traffic offencesor offences under section 11 of the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013 (using or keeping heavy goods vehicle if HGV road user levy not paid).

PART VA — ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

Environmental impact assessments.

105A

(1) If a project authority is considering a project for constructing or improving a highway for which it is the highway authority, the project authority must, before details of the project are published, determine—

(a) whether or not the project is of a type specified in Annex I or Annex II, and

(b) if it considers the project is a relevant project of a type specified in Annex II, whether it should be made subject to an environmental impact assessment.

(2) In this Part “project authority” means—

(a) the Secretary of State,

(b) the Welsh Ministers, or

(3) When making a determination under subsection (1)(b), a project authority must have regard to the following—

(a) the information described in Annex II.A,

(b) the selection criteria set out in Annex III,

(c) any features of the project or measures envisaged to avoid or prevent what might otherwise be significant adverse effects on the environment, and

(d) the results of any relevant environmental assessment which are reasonably available to the authority.

(4) The project authority must make a determination under subsection (1)(b)—

(a) as soon as possible, and

(b) in any event within the period of 90 days beginning with the day on which it has access to the information mentioned in paragraphs (a), (c) and (d) of subsection (3).

(5) If the project authority is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so by reason of exceptional circumstances relating to a project (including circumstances relating to the nature, complexity, location or size of project), it may extend the period specified in subsection (4)(b).

105B

(1) This section applies of a project authority considers that a project—

(a) is of a type specified in Annex I, or

(b) is a relevant project of a type specified in Annex II which should be made subject to an environmental impact assessment.

(2) The project authority must, not later than the date when details of the project itself are published—

(a) ensure that an environmental statement is prepared for the project, and

(b) publish a notice of the environmental statement so as to ensure that members of the public who are likely to be concerned are given a reasonable opportunity to express their opinion before a decision is made as to whether to proceed with the construction or improvement to which the statement relates.

(3) The environmental statement for the project—

(a) must be prepared by competent experts,

(b) must include the information which, taking into account current knowledge and methods of assessment, is reasonably required by the project authority to reach a reasoned conclusion about the significant effects of the project on the environment (as required by section 105CA) and in particular the information specified in subsection (4) of this section, and

(c) with a view to avoiding duplication of assessments, must take into account the results of any relevant environmental assessment which are reasonably available to the project authority.

(4) The specified information is—

(a) a description the site, design, size and any other relevant features of the project,

(b) a description of the likely significant effects of the project on the environment,

(c) a description of the features of the project or measures envisaged to avoid, prevent or reduce and, if possible, offset any likely significant effects of the project on the environment,

(d) a description of the reasonable alternatives studied by the project authority which are relevant to the project and its specific characteristics, and an indication of the main reasons for the option chosen, taking into account the effects of the project on the environment,

(e) a non-technical summary of the information mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d), and

(f) any additional information of a type specified in Annex IV that is relevant to the specific characteristics of the project, or type of project, and to the environmental features likely to be affected.

(5) The environmental statement must be accompanied by a statement from the project authority setting out the relevant expertise or qualifications of the experts who prepared the environmental statement.

(6) The notice published under subsection (2)(b) must state—

(a) that the project authority, as the relevant highway authority, is considering implementing the project;

(b) the proposed location and nature of the project;

(d) if the project is a relevant project of a type specified in Annex II, the reasons for the determination that the project should be made subject to an environmental impact assessment with reference to the selection criteria set out in Annex III;

(e) that a copy of the environmental statement may be inspected at an address in the area in which the project is proposed to be situated during the period specified under paragraph (j);

(f) the times at which the copy of the environmental statement may be so inspected;

(g) an address from which copies of the environmental statement may be obtained and from which further information about the project may be requested during the period specified under paragraph (j);

(h) if a charge is to be made for a copy of the environmental statement, the amount of the charge;

(i) that a copy of the environmental statement may be inspected on the official website;

(j) that any person wishing to make representations about the project and the environmental statement may do so in writing to the project authority at a specified address for a specified period, being not less than 6 weeks from the date of publication of the notice, and

(k) that the project authority will take into consideration any representations so made before deciding whether or not to proceed with the project with or without modifications.

(7) The project authority must ensure that during the period specified under subsection (6)(j)—

(a) copies of the environmental statement are available for inspection by any person free of charge at all reasonable hours at the address specified under subsection (6)(e),

(b) copies of the environmental statement are available to be obtained by any person from the address specified under subsection (6)(g), and

(8) A reasonable charge reflecting the costs of printing, copying and distribution may be made by the project authority for the supply of a copy of the environmental statement—

(a) to a person other than a consultation body, or

(b) to a consultation body to which one copy has already been supplied free of charge.

(9) The project authority must ensure that the consultation bodies are given an opportunity to express an opinion on the project and the environmental statement before the authority carries out the consideration required by section 105CA(1).

105C

(1) This section applies if–

(a) it appears to the project authority that a project to which section 105B applies is likely to have a significant effect on the environment in an EEA state ; or

(b) an EEA State the environment of which is likely to be significantly affected by such a project asks the project authority for information about it.

(2) The project authority must give the EEA State –

(a) a description of the project, together with any information available to the authority which suggests that it may have a significant effect on the environment in the EEA State ;

(b) any information which the authority has on the nature of the decision which may be taken on the project;

(d) a reasonable period within which to indicate whether it wishes to participate in that procedure.

(3) Subsection (2)(a) and (b) must be complied with no later than the date of publication of the notice under section 105B(2)(b) .

(4) If the EEA State indicates that it wishes to participate in the procedure required by this Part of this Act , the project authority must give it–

(a) a copy of the environmental statement for the project (if the authority has not already done so); . . .

(b) the information required by subsection (6) of section 105B to be included in the notice under subsection (2)(b) of that section; and

(c) any information about the procedure required by this Part of this Act which the authority considers it appropriate to give and which has not already been given to the EEA State.

(5) The project authority must also –

(a) arrange for the information which the authority has given to the EEA State to be made available, within a reasonable time, to–

(i) the consultation bodies, and

(ii) members of the public in the EEA State who are likely to be concerned; and

(b) ensure that those authorities and the public concerned are given a reasonable opportunity to give the project authority their views before the project authority decides whether to proceed with the project to which the environmental impact assessment relates.

(6) The Secretary of Stateor the strategic highways company must ...–

(a) enter into consultations with the EEA State concerned regarding, among other matters, the potential significant effects of the project on the environment of that EEA State and the measures envisaged to reduce or eliminate those effects; and

(b) agree with that EEA State a reasonable period for those consultations.

(6A) The consultations required under subsection (6)(a) may be carried out through an appropriate joint body set up for that purpose.

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

105D

(1) If a person aggrieved by a decision of the project authority to proceed with the construction or improvement for which an environmental statement has been made desires to question the validity of the decision on the ground that—

(a) it is not within the powers of this Act; or

(b) any requirement of this Part of this Act has not been complied with in relation to the decision;

he may, within 6 weeks from the date on which the decision is first published under section 105B (6), make an application for the purpose to the High Court.

(2) On any such application, the Court—

(a) may by interim order suspend the operation of the decision, or any aspect of it, either generally or in so far as it affects any property of the applicant, until the final determination of the proceedings; and

(b) if satisfied that the decision is not within the powers of this Act, or that the interests of the applicant have been substantially prejudiced by a failure to comply with any requirement of this Part of this Act, may quash the decision or any aspect of it, either generally or in so far as it affects any property of the applicant.

(3) Subject to subsection (2), a decision to which subsection (1) applies shall not be questioned in any legal proceedings whatever.

Part VIIA — Provision of Amenities on Certain Highways

115A

(1) This part of this Act applies—

(a) to a highway in relation to which a pedestrian planning order is in force;

(aa) to a restricted byway;

(b) to a bridleway;

(d) to a footway;

(e) to a subway constructed under section 69 above;

(f) to a footbridge constructed under section 70 above;

(g) to a highway of a description not mentioned in any of the preceding paragraphs of this definition whose use by vehicular traffic is prohibited by a traffic order but whose use by other traffic is not prohibited or restricted or regulated by such an order; and

(h) to a local Act walkway.

(2) In this Part of this Act—

“local Act walkway” means a way or place which is declared in pursuance of a local enactment to be a walkway, city walkway or pedestrian way;

“pedestrian planning order” means an order made under section 249(2) or (2A) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990; and

“traffic order” means an order made under section 1 or 6 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (traffic regulation orders) or under section 9 of that Act (experimental traffic orders); and

“walkway consent” means—

(a) in relation to a walkway as defined in section 35(2) above, the consent—

(i) of any person who is an occupier of the building in which the walkway subsists and to whom subsection (3) below applies; and

(ii) of the persons whose agreement would be needed for the creation of the walkway if it did not already subsist; and

(b) in relation to a local Act walkway, the consent—

(i) of any person who is an owner or occupier of premises adjoining the walkway and to whom subsection (3) below applies; and

(ii) of the owner of the land on, under or above which the walkway subsists.

(3) The persons to whom this subsection applies are persons who, in the opinion of a council, are likely to be materially affected—

(a) by the exercise of a power which the council may not exercise until they have first obtained walkway consent; or

(b) by a grant of permission which the council may not grant unless they have first obtained walkway consent.

(4) In the following provisions of this Part of this Act “walkway” includes both a walkway as defined in section 35(2) above and a local Act walkway.

(5) Any reference in this Part of this Act to a highway to which this Part of this Act applies includes a reference to a local Act walkway which but for this subsection—

(a) is not a highway; or

(b) is a highway only for certain purposes.

(6) The use of a highway by vehicular traffic is to be taken as prohibited for the purposes of this Part of this Act where its use by such traffic is prohibited over the whole width of the highway even if the prohibition is contained in a traffic order which does not prohibit certain vehicles or certain classes of vehicle using the highway or part of it or using the highway or part of it at certain times or on certain days or during certain periods.

(7) In this Part of this Act “frontagers” means the owners and occupiers of any premises adjoining the part of a highway on, in or over which an object or structure would be placed or on which facilities for recreation or refreshment or both have been, are being or would be provided; but frontagers have an interest under this Part of this Act only in proposals to place objects or structures or provide or operate facilities wholly or partly between their premises and the centre of the highway.

(8) References to a council in this Part of this Act include references to the Council of the Isles of Scilly.

115B

(1) Subject to subsections (4), (5) and (7) below, a council shall have power—

(a) to carry out works on, in or over a highway to which this Part of this Act applies; and

(b) to place objects or structures on, in or over such a highway, for the purpose—

(i) of giving effect to a pedestrian planning order;

(ii) of enhancing the amenity of the highway and its immediate surroundings; or

(iii) of providing a service for the benefit of the public or a section of the public.

(2) A council shall have power to maintain—

(a) any works carried out under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) above; and

(b) any objects or structures placed on, in or over a highway under paragraph (b) of that subsection.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of this section, the amenity of a highway may be enhanced by providing lawns, trees, shrubs or flowers.

(4) A council may not exercise the powers conferred by this section on, in or over a walkway unless they have first obtained walkway consent.

(5) Where subsection (6) below applies, a council may not, in the exercise of the power conferred by subsection (1)(b) above, place an object or structure on, in or over a highway—

(a) for a purpose which will result in the production of income; or

(b) for the purpose of providing a centre for advice or information,

unless they have first obtained the consent of the frontagers with an interest—

(i) to the placing of the object or structure; and

(ii) to the purpose for which it is to be placed.

(6) This subsection applies where the object or structure would be placed—

(a) on, in or over a footpath;

(b) on, in or over a bridleway; or

(7) Where a council propose—

(a) to place an object or structure on, in or over a highway to which this Part of this Act applies—

(i) for a purpose which will result in the production of income; or

(ii) for the purpose of providing a centre for advice or information; and

(b) to grant a person permission under section 115E below to use the object or structure,

they may not exercise the power conferred by subsection (1)(b) above unless they have first obtained the consent of the frontagers with an interest—

(i) to the placing of the object or structure;

(ii) to the purpose for which it would be placed; and

(iii) to the proposed grant of permission.

115C

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) below, a council shall have power to provide, maintain and operate facilities for recreation or refreshment or both on a highway to which this Part of this Act applies.

(2) A council may not exercise the powers conferred by this section on a walkway unless they have first obtained walkway consent.

(3) Where subsection (4) below applies, a council may not exercise the powers conferred by this section unless they have first obtained the consent of the frontagers with an interest.

(4) This subsection applies where the facilities are to be provided—

(a) on a footpath; or

(b) on a bridleway; or

(ba) on a restricted byway; or

115D

A council may exercise their powers under section 115B or 115C above to restrict the access of the public to any part of a highway to which this Part of this Act applies, but shall not so exercise them—

(a) as to prevent traffic, other than vehicular traffic,—

(i) entering the highway at any place where such traffic could enter it before, as the case may be, the making of a pedestrian planning order or a traffic order in relation to it or the exercise in relation to it of a power conferred by this Part of this Act; or

(ii) passing along it; or

(iii) having normal access to premises adjoining it; or

(b) as to prevent any use of vehicles which is permitted by a pedestrian planning order or which is not prohibited by a traffic order; or

(c) as to prevent statutory undertakers . . . having access to any apparatus of theirs under, in, on or over the highway ; or

(d) as to prevent the operator of an electronic communications code network having access to any electronic communications apparatus kept installed for the purposes of that network under, in, on or over the highway.

115E

(1) Subject to subsections (2) to (6) below, a council may grant a person permission—

(a) to do on, in or over a highway to which this Part of this Act applies anything which the council could do on, in or over such a highway under section 115B(1) to (3) or 115C above; or

(b) to use objects or structures on, in or over a highway to which this Part of this Act applies—

(i) for a purpose which will result in the production of income;

(ii) for the purpose of providing a centre for advice or information; or

(iii) for the purpose of advertising.

(2) A council may not grant a person permission under subsection (1)(a) above to place an object or structure on, in or over a highway to which this Part of this Act applies—

(a) for a purpose which will result in the production of income; or

(b) for the purpose of providing a centre for advice or information,

unless they have first obtained the consent of the frontagers with an interest—

(i) to the placing of the object or structure;

(ii) to the purpose for which it would be placed; and

(iii) to the proposed grant of permission.

(3) A council may not grant a person permission to do anything which the council could only do under section 115C above unless they have first obtained the consent of the frontagers with an interest.

(4) A council may not grant a person permission—

(a) to carry out works on, in or over a walkway;

(b) to place an object or structure on, in or over a walkway; or

unless they have first obtained walkway consent.

(5) A council may not under this section grant a person permission to do anything which is capable of being authorised by a pavement licence under section 1 of the Business and Planning Act 2020.

(6) A council may not under this section grant a person permission to do anything relating to a public charge point in England which is capable of being authorised by a street works permit or a street works licence.

(7) In this section—

“public charge point” means a charge point within the meaning of Part 2 of the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 that is provided for use by members of the general public;

“street works permit” means a permit granted pursuant to a permit scheme prepared under Part 3 of the Traffic Management Act 2004.

115F

(1) Subject to subsections (2) to (4) below, a council may grant a permission under section 115E above upon such conditions as they think fit, including conditions requiring the payment to the council of such reasonable charges as they may determine.

(2) Except where the council are the owners of the subsoil beneath the part of the highway in relation to which the permission is granted, the charges may not exceed the standard amount.

(3) In subsection (2) above, “the standard amount” means—

(a) in relation to permission to use an object or structure provided by a council, the aggregate—

(i) of the cost of providing it; and

(ii) of such charges as will reimburse the council their reasonable expenses in connection with granting the permission;

(b) in relation to permission to operate facilities provided by a council for recreation or refreshment or both, the aggregate—

(i) of the cost of providing them; and

(ii) of such charges as will reimburse the council their reasonable expenses in connection with granting the permission; and

(c) in any other case, such charges as will reimburse the council their reasonable expenses in connection with granting the permission.

(4) Nothing in this section shall prejudice the right of a council to require an indemnity against any claim in respect of injury, damage or loss arising out of the grant of the permission; but this subsection is not to be taken as requiring any person to indemnify a council against any claim in respect of injury, damage or loss which is attributable to the negligence of the council.

115G

(1) Subject to subsection (4) below, a council shall not—

(a) exercise any power conferred by section 115B or 115C above; or

(b) grant any permission under section 115E above unless they have first published a notice under this section.

(2) A council shall publish a notice under this section—

(a) by affixing it in a conspicuous position at or near the place to which the proposal relates; and

(b) by serving a copy of the notice on the owner and occupier of any premises appearing to the council to be likely to be materially affected.

(3) A notice under this section—

(a) shall give details of the proposal; and

(b) shall specify a period (being not less than 28 days after the publication of the notice) during which representations regarding the proposal may be made to the council.

(4) No notice under this section is required where a council propose to exercise a power conferred by section 115B or 115C above in relation to a highway in relation to which a pedestrian planning order or a traffic order has been made.

(5) Where a council have published a notice under this section, they shall not exercise the power or grant the permission to which the notice relates until they have taken into consideration all representations made to them in connection with the proposal within the period specified in the notice.

115H

(1) Subject to subsection (3) below, a council shall not—

(a) exercise any power conferred by section 115B or 115C above; or

(b) grant any permission under section 115E above, in relation to a highway unless they have consulted—

(i) any authority other than themselves who are the highway authority for the highway; and

(ii) any authority other than themselves who are a local planning authority, as defined in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the area in which, as the case may be, they propose to exercise the power or to which the proposed permission would relate.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Subsection (1) above shall have effect in relation to a highway—

(a) to which this Part of this Act applies; and

(b) in relation to which there is no pedestrian planning order in force, as if the requirement to consult the highway authority were a requirement to obtain their consent to the exercise of the power or the granting of the permission.

(4) Where a highway to which this Part of this Act applies is maintained by the British Railways Board or Transport for London or any of its subsidiaries (within the meaning of the Greater London Authority Act 1999), a council shall not exercise any power conferred by section 115B or 115C above or grant a permission in relation to it under section 115E above except with the consent of the Board or, as the case may be, Transport for London or that subsidiary of Transport for London .

115J

(1) Consent to which this section applies is not to be unreasonably withheld but may be given subject to any reasonable conditions.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, it may be reasonable for consent to which this section applies to be given for a specified period of time or subject to the payment of a reasonable sum.

(3) Consent is to be treated as unreasonably withheld for the purposes of this section if—

(a) the council have served a notice asking for consent on the person whose consent is required; and

(b) he fails within 28 days of the service of the notice to give the council notice of his consent or his refusal to give it.

(4) Any question whether consent is unreasonably withheld or is given subject to reasonable conditions shall be referred to and determined by an arbitrator to be appointed, in default of agreement, by the President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

(5) If—

(a) the arbitrator determines that consent has been unreasonably withheld; but

(b) it appears to him that there are conditions subject to which it would be reasonable to give it,

he may direct that it shall be treated as having been given subject to those conditions.

(6) If—

(a) the arbitrator determines that any condition subject to which consent has been given is unreasonable; but

(b) it appears to him that there are conditions subject to which it would have been reasonable to give it,

he may direct that it shall be treated as having been given subject to those conditions.

(7) Subject to subsection (8) below, the expenses and remuneration of the arbitrator shall be paid by the council seeking the consent.

(8) Where the arbitration concerns the consent of the British Railways Board or Transport for London, or any of its subsidiaries (within the meaning of the Greater London Authority Act 1999) under section 115H(4) above, the arbitrator may give such directions as he thinks fit as to the payment of his expenses and remuneration.

(9) This section applies to consent required under any provision of this Part of this Act except section 115H(1) above.

115K

(1) If it appears to a council that a person to whom they have granted a permission under section 115E above has committed any breach of the terms of that permission, they may serve a notice on him requiring him to take such steps to remedy the breach as are specified in the notice within such time as is so specified.

(2) If a person on whom a notice is served under subsection (1) above fails to comply with the notice, the council may take the steps themselves.

(3) Where a council have incurred expenses in the exercise of the power conferred on them by subsection (2) above, those expenses, together with interest at such reasonable rate as the council may determine from the date of service of a notice of demand for the expenses, may be recovered by the council from the person on whom the notice under subsection (1) above was served.

Application for a public path extinguishment order.

118ZA

(1) The owner, lessee or occupier of any land used for agriculture, forestry or the breeding or keeping of horses may apply to a council for the area in which the land is situated for the making of a public path extinguishment order in relation to any footpath or bridleway which crosses the land.

(2) An application under this section shall be in such form as may be prescribed and shall be accompanied by a map, on such scale as may be prescribed, showing the land over which it is proposed that the public right of way should be extinguished, and by such other information as may be prescribed.

(3) Regulations may provide—

(a) that a prescribed charge is payable on the making of an application under this section, and

(b) that further prescribed charges are payable by the applicant if the council make a public path extinguishment order on the application.

(4) An application under this section is not to be taken to be received by the council until the requirements of regulations under section 121A below have been satisfied in relation to it.

(5) A council which receives an application under this section shall determine the application as soon as reasonably practicable.

(6) Before determining to make a public path extinguishment order on an application under this section, the council may require the applicant to enter into an agreement with them to defray, or to make such contribution as may be specified in the agreement towards, any compensation which may become payable under section 28 above as applied by section 121(2) below.

(7) Where—

(a) an application under this section has been made to a council, and

(b) the council have not determined the application within four months of receiving it,

the Secretary of State may, at the request of the applicant and after consulting the council, by direction require the council to determine the application before the end of such period as may be specified in the direction.

(8) As soon as practicable after determining an application under this section, the council shall—

(a) give to the applicant notice in writing of their decision and the reasons for it, and

(b) give a copy of the notice to such other persons as may be prescribed.

(9) The council to whom an application under this section has been made may make a public path extinguishment order on the application only if the land over which the public right of way is to be extinguished by the order is that shown for the purposes of subsection (2) above on the map accompanying the application.

(10) Any reference in this Act to the map accompanying an application under this section includes a reference to any revised map submitted by the applicant in prescribed circumstances in substitution for that map.

(11) This section has effect subject to the provisions of sections 121A and 121C below.

(12) In this section—

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations;

“regulations” means regulations made by the Secretary of State.

118A

(1) This section applies where it appears to a council expedient in the interests of the safety of members of the public using it or likely to use it that a footpath , bridleway or restricted byway in their area which crosses a railway, otherwise than by tunnel or bridge, should be stopped up.

(2) Where this section applies, the council may by order made by them and submitted to and confirmed by the Secretary of State, or confirmed as an unopposed order, extinguish the public right of way over the path or way—

(a) on the crossing itself, and

(b) for so much of its length as they deem expedient from the crossing to its intersection with another highway over which there subsists a like right of way (whether or not other rights of way also subsist over it).

(3) An order under this section is referred to in this Act as a “rail crossing extinguishment order”.

(4) The Secretary of State shall not confirm a rail crossing extinguishment order, and a council shall not confirm such an order as an unopposed order, unless he or, as the case may be, they are satisfied that it is expedient to do so having regard to all the circumstances, and in particular to—

(a) whether it is reasonably practicable to make the crossing safe for use by the public, and

(b) what arrangements have been made for ensuring that, if the order is confirmed, any appropriate barriers and signs are erected and maintained.

(5) Before determining to make a rail crossing extinguishment order on the representations of the operator of the railway crossed by the path or way, the council may require him to enter into an agreement with them to defray, or to make such contribution as may be specified in the agreement towards, any expenses which the council may incur in connection with the erection or maintenance of barriers and signs.

(6) A rail crossing extinguishment order shall be in such form as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State and shall contain a map, on such scale as may be so prescribed, defining the land over which the public right of way is thereby extinguished.

(7) Schedule 6 to this Act has effect as to the making, confirmation, validity and date of operation of rail crossing extinguishment orders.

(8) In this section—

“operator”, in relation to a railway, means any person carrying on an undertaking which includes maintaining the permanent way;

“railway” includes tramway but does not include any part of a system where rails are laid along a carriageway.

Stopping up of certain highways for purposes of crime prevention, etc.

118B

(1) This section applies where it appears to a council—

(a) that, as respects any relevant highway for which they are the highway authority and which is in an area designated by the Secretary of State by order for the purposes of this section, the conditions in subsection (3) below are satisfied and it is expedient, for the purpose of preventing or reducing crime which would otherwise disrupt the life of the community, that the highway should be stopped up, or

(b) that, as respects any relevant highway for which they are the highway authority and which crosses land occupied for the purposes of a school, it is expedient, for the purpose of protecting the pupils or staff from—

(i) violence or the threat of violence,

(ii) harassment,

(iii) alarm or distress arising from unlawful activity, or

(iv) any other risk to their health or safety arising from such activity,

that the highway should be stopped up.

(2) In subsection (1) above “relevant highway” means—

(a) any footpath, bridleway or restricted byway,

(b) any highway which is shown in a definitive map and statement as a footpath, a bridleway, or a restricted byway, but over which the public have a right of way for vehicular and all other kinds of traffic, or

but does not include a highway that is a trunk road or a special road.

(3) The conditions referred to in subsection (1)(a) above are—

(a) that premises adjoining or adjacent to the highway are affected by high levels of crime, and

(b) that the existence of the highway is facilitating the persistent commission of criminal offences.

(4) Where this section applies, the council may by order made by them and submitted to and confirmed by the Secretary of State, or confirmed as an unopposed order, extinguish the public right of way over the highway.

(5) An order under subsection (4) above is in this Act referred to as a “special extinguishment order”.

(6) Before making a special extinguishment order, the council shall consult the local policing body for the area in which the highway lies.

(7) The Secretary of State shall not confirm a special extinguishment order made by virtue of subsection (1)(a) above, and a council shall not confirm such an order as an unopposed order, unless he or, as the case may be, they are satisfied that the conditions in subsection (3) above are satisfied, that the stopping up of the highway is expedient as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above and that it is expedient to confirm the order having regard to all the circumstances, and in particular to—

(a) whether and, if so, to what extent the order is consistent with any strategy for the reduction of crime and disorder prepared under section 6 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998,

(b) the availability of a reasonably convenient alternative route or, if no reasonably convenient alternative route is available, whether it would be reasonably practicable to divert the highway under section 119B below rather than stopping it up, and

(c) the effect which the extinguishment of the right of way would have as respects land served by the highway, account being taken of the provisions as to compensation contained in section 28 above as applied by section 121(2) below.

(8) The Secretary of State shall not confirm a special extinguishment order made by virtue of subsection (1)(b) above, and a council shall not confirm such an order as an unopposed order unless he or, as the case may be, they are satisfied that the stopping up of the highway is expedient as mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above and that it is expedient to confirm the order having regard to all the circumstances, and in particular to—

(a) any other measures that have been or could be taken for improving or maintaining the security of the school,

(b) whether it is likely that the coming into operation of the order will result in a substantial improvement in that security,

(c) the availability of a reasonably convenient alternative route or, if no reasonably convenient alternative route is available, whether it would be reasonably practicable to divert the highway under section 119B below rather than stopping it up, and

(d) the effect which the extinguishment of the right of way would have as respects land served by the highway, account being taken of the provisions as to compensation contained in section 28 above as applied by section 121(2) below.

(9) A special extinguishment order shall be in such form as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State and shall contain a map, on such scale as may be prescribed, defining the land over which the public right of way is thereby extinguished.

(10) Schedule 6 to this Act has effect as to the making, confirmation, validity and date of operation of special extinguishment orders.

118C

(1) The proprietor of a school may apply to a council for the making by virtue of section 118B(1)(b) above of a special extinguishment order in relation to any highway for which the council are the highway authority and which—

(a) crosses land occupied for the purposes of the school, and

(b) is a relevant highway as defined by section 118B(2) above.

(2) Subsections (2) to (11) of section 118ZA above shall apply to applications under this section as they apply to applications under that section, with the substitution for references to a public path extinguishment order of references to a special extinguishment order; and regulations made under that section by virtue of this subsection may make different provision for the purposes of this section and for the purposes of that section.

Dedication of highway by agreement with parish or community council.

119ZA

(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, the owner, lessee or occupier of any land used for agriculture, forestry or the breeding or keeping of horses may apply to a council for the area in which the land is situated for the making of a public path diversion order in relation to any footpath or bridleway which crosses the land, on the ground that in his interests it is expedient that the order should be made.

(2) No application may be made under this section for an order which would create a new footpath or bridleway communicating with—

(a) a classified road,

(b) a special road,

(d) any highway not falling within paragraph (a) or (b) above for which the Minister is the highway authority,

unless the application is made with the consent of the highway authority for the way falling within paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) above.

(3) No application under this section may propose the creation of a new right of way over land covered by works used by any statutory undertakers for the purposes of their undertaking or the curtilage of such land, unless the application is made with the consent of the statutory undertakers; and in this subsection “statutory undertaker” and “statutory undertaking” have the same meaning as in Schedule 6 to this Act.

(4) An application under this section shall be in such form as may be prescribed and shall be accompanied by a map, on such scale as may be prescribed—

(a) showing the existing site of so much of the line of the path or way as it is proposed to divert and the new site to which it is proposed to be diverted,

(b) indicating whether it is proposed to create a new right of way over the whole of the new site or whether some of it is already comprised in a footpath or bridleway, and

and by such other information as may be prescribed.

(5) Regulations may provide—

(a) that a prescribed charge is payable on the making of an application under this section, and

(b) that further prescribed charges are payable by the applicant if the council make a public path diversion order on the application.

(6) An application under this section is not to be taken to be received by the council until the requirements of regulations under section 121A below have been satisfied in relation to it.

(7) A council which receives an application under this section shall determine the application as soon as reasonably practicable.

(8) Where—

(a) an application under this section has been made to a council, and

(b) the council have not determined the application within four months of receiving it,

(9) As soon as practicable after determining an application under this section, the council shall—

(a) give to the applicant notice in writing of their decision and the reasons for it, and

(b) give a copy of the notice to such other persons as may be prescribed.

(10) The council to whom an application under this section has been made may make a public path diversion order on the application only if—

(a) the land over which the public right of way is to be extinguished by the order, and

(b) the new site to which the path or way is to be diverted,

are those shown for the purposes of subsection (4) above on the map accompanying the application.

(11) Any reference in this Act to the map accompanying an application under this section includes a reference to any revised map submitted by the applicant in prescribed circumstances in substitution for that map.

(12) This section has effect subject to the provisions of sections 121A and 121C below.

(13) In this section—

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations;

“regulations” means regulations made by the Secretary of State.

119A

(1) This section applies where it appears to a council expedient in the interests of the safety of members of the public using it or likely to use it that a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway in their area which crosses a railway, otherwise than by tunnel or bridge, should be diverted (whether on to land of the same or of another owner, lessee or occupier).

(2) Where this section applies, the council may by order made by them and submitted to and confirmed by the Secretary of State, or confirmed as an unopposed order—

(a) create, as from such date as may be specified in the order, any such new path or way as appears to the council requisite for effecting the diversion, and

(b) extinguish, as from such date as may be specified in the order or determined under subsection (7) below, the public right of way over the crossing and over so much of the path or way of which the crossing forms part as appears to the council requisite as aforesaid.

(3) An order under this section is referred to in this Act as a “rail crossing diversion order”.

(4) The Secretary of State shall not confirm a rail crossing diversion order, and a council shall not confirm such an order as an unopposed order, unless he or, as the case may be, they are satisfied that it is expedient to do so having regard to all the circumstances, and in particular to—

(a) whether it is reasonably practicable to make the crossing safe for use by the public, and

(b) what arrangements have been made for ensuring that, if the order is confirmed, any appropriate barriers and signs are erected and maintained.

(5) A rail crossing diversion order shall not alter a point of termination of a path or way diverted under the order—

(a) if that point is not on a highway over which there subsists a like right of way (whether or not other rights of way also subsist over it), or

(b) (where it is on such a highway) otherwise than to another point which is on the same highway, or another such highway connected with it.

(6) A rail crossing diversion order may make provision requiring the operator of the railway to maintain all or part of the footpath, bridleway or restricted byway created by the order.

(7) Where it appears to the council that work requires to be done to bring the new site of the footpath, bridleway or restricted byway into a fit condition for use by the public, the council shall—

(a) specify a date under subsection (2)(a) above, and

(b) provide that so much of the order as extinguishes (in accordance with subsection (2)(b) above) a public right of way is not to come into force until the local highway authority for the new path or way certify that the work has been carried out.

(8) Before determining to make a rail crossing diversion order on the representations of the operator of the railway crossed by the path or way, the council may require him to enter into an agreement with them to defray, or to make such contribution as may be specified in the agreement towards,—

(a) any compensation which may become payable under section 28 above as applied by section 121(2) below;

(b) any expenses which the council may incur in connection with the erection or maintenance of barriers and signs;

(c) where the council are the highway authority for the path or way in question, any expenses which they may incur in bringing the new site of the path or way into fit condition for use by the public;

(d) where the council are not the highway authority, any expenses which may become recoverable from them by the highway authority under the provisions of section 27(2) above as applied by subsection (11) below.

(9) A rail crossing diversion order shall be in such form as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State and shall contain a map, on such scale as may be so prescribed—

(a) showing the existing site of so much of the line of the path or way as is to be diverted by the order and the new site to which it is to be diverted,

(b) indicating whether a new right of way is created by the order over the whole of the new site or whether some part of it is already comprised in a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway, and

(10) Schedule 6 to this Act has effect as to the making, confirmation, validity and date of operation of rail crossing diversion orders.

(11) Section 27 above (making up of new footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways) applies to a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway created by a rail crossing diversion order with the substitution, for references to a public path creation order, of references to a rail crossing diversion order and, for references to section 26(2) above, of references to section 120(3) below.

(12) In this section and in section 120 below—

“operator”, in relation to a railway, means any person carrying on an undertaking which includes maintaining the permanent way;

“railway” includes tramway but does not include any part of a system where rails are laid along a carriageway.

Making up of new footpaths , bridleways and restricted byways.

119B

(1) This section applies where it appears to a council—

(a) that, as respects any relevant highway for which they are the highway authority and which is in an area designated by the Secretary of State by order under section 118B(1)(a) above, the conditions in subsection (3) below are satisfied and it is expedient, for the purpose of preventing or reducing crime which would otherwise disrupt the life of the community, that the line of the highway, or part of that line should be diverted (whether on to land of the same or another owner, lessee or occupier), or

(b) that, as respects any relevant highway for which they are the highway authority and which crosses land occupied for the purposes of a school, it is expedient, for the purpose of protecting the pupils or staff from—

(i) violence or the threat of violence,

(ii) harassment,

(iii) alarm or distress arising from unlawful activity, or

(iv) any other risk to their health or safety arising from such activity,

that the line of the highway, or part of that line, should be diverted (whether on to land of the same or another owner, lessee or occupier).

(2) In subsection (1) above “relevant highway” means—

(a) any footpath, bridleway or restricted byway,

(b) any highway which is shown in a definitive map and statement as a footpath, a bridleway, or a restricted byway, but over which the public have a right of way for vehicular and all other kinds of traffic, or

but does not include a highway that is a trunk road or a special road.

(3) The conditions referred to in subsection (1)(a) above are—

(a) that premises adjoining or adjacent to the highway are affected by high levels of crime, and

(b) that the existence of the highway is facilitating the persistent commission of criminal offences.

(4) Where this section applies, the council may by order made by them and submitted to and confirmed by the Secretary of State, or confirmed as an unopposed order—

(a) create, as from such date as may be specified in the order, any such—

(i) new footpath, bridleway or restricted byway, or

(ii) in a case falling within subsection (2)(b) or (c) above, new highway over which the public have a right of way for vehicular and all other kinds of traffic,

as appears to the council requisite for effecting the diversion, and

(b) extinguish, as from such date as may be specified in the order or determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection (8) below, the public right of way over so much of the highway as appears to the council to be requisite for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) above.

(5) An order under subsection (4) above is in this Act referred to as a “special diversion order”.

(6) Before making a special diversion order, the council shall consult the local policing body for the area in which the highway is situated.

(7) A special diversion order shall not alter a point of termination of the highway—

(a) if that point is not on a highway, or

(b) (where it is on a highway) otherwise than to another point which is on the same highway, or a highway connected with it.

(8) Where it appears to the council that work requires to be done to bring the new site of the highway into a fit condition for use by the public, the council shall—

(a) specify a date under subsection (4)(a) above, and

(b) provide that so much of the order as extinguishes (in accordance with subsection (4)(b) above) a public right of way is not to come into force until the local highway authority for the new highway certify that the work has been carried out.

(9) A right of way created by a special diversion order may be either unconditional or (whether or not the right of way extinguished by the order was subject to limitations or conditions of any description) subject to such limitations or conditions as may be specified in the order.

(10) The Secretary of State shall not confirm a special diversion order made by virtue of subsection (1)(a) above, and a council shall not confirm such an order as an unopposed order unless he or, as the case may be, they are satisfied that the conditions in subsection (3) above are satisfied, that the diversion of the highway is expedient as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above and that it is expedient to confirm the order having regard to all the circumstances, and in particular to—

(a) whether and, if so, to what extent the order is consistent with any strategy for the reduction of crime and disorder prepared under section 6 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998,

(b) the effect which the coming into operation of the order would have as respects land served by the existing public right of way, and

(c) the effect which any new public right of way created by the order would have as respects the land over which the right is so created and any land held with it,

so, however, that for the purposes of paragraphs (b) and (c) above the Secretary of State or, as the case may be, the council shall take into account the provisions as to compensation contained in section 28 above as applied by section 121(2) below.

(11) The Secretary of State shall not confirm a special diversion order made by virtue of subsection (1)(b) above, and a council shall not confirm such an order as an unopposed order unless he or, as the case may be, they are satisfied that the diversion of the highway is expedient as mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above and that it is expedient to confirm the order having regard to all the circumstances, and in particular to—

(a) any other measures that have been or could be taken for improving or maintaining the security of the school,

(b) whether it is likely that the coming into operation of the order will result in a substantial improvement in that security,

(c) the effect which the coming into operation of the order would have as respects land served by the existing public right of way, and

(d) the effect which any new public right of way created by the order would have as respects the land over which the right is so created and any land held with it,

so, however, that for the purposes of paragraphs (c) and (d) above the Secretary of State or, as the case may be, the council shall take into account the provisions as to compensation contained in section 28 above as applied by section 121(2) below.

(12) A special diversion order shall be in such form as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State and shall contain a map, on such scale as may be so prescribed—

(a) showing the existing site of so much of the line of the highway as is to be diverted by the order and the new site to which it is to be diverted,

(b) indicating whether a new right of way is created by the order over the whole of the new site or whether some part of it is already comprised in a highway, and

(13) Schedule 6 to this Act has effect as to the making, confirmation, validity and date of operation of special diversion orders.

(14) Section 27 above (making up of new footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways) applies to a highway created by a special diversion order with the substitution—

(a) for references to a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway of references to a footpath, a bridleway, a restricted byway or a highway over which the public have a right of way for vehicular and all other kinds of traffic,

(b) for references to a public path creation order of references to a special diversion order, and

(15) Neither section 27 nor section 36 above is to be regarded as obliging a highway authority to provide on any highway created by a special diversion order a metalled carriage-way.

119C

(1) The proprietor of a school may apply to a council for the making by virtue of section 119B(1)(b) above of a special diversion order in relation to any highway for which the council are the highway authority and which—

(a) crosses land occupied for the purposes of the school, and

(b) is a relevant highway as defined by section 119B(2) above.

(2) No application may be made under this section for an order which would create a new highway communicating with—

(a) a classified road,

(b) a special road,

(d) any highway not falling within paragraph (a) or (b) above for which the Minister is the highway authority,

unless the application is made with the consent of the highway authority for the way falling within paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) above.

(3) Before determining to make a special diversion order on an application under this section, the council may require the applicant to enter into an agreement with them to defray, or to make such contribution as may be specified in the agreement towards—

(a) any compensation which may become payable under section 28 above as applied by section 121(2) below, or

(b) to the extent that the council are the highway authority for the highway in question, any expenses which they may incur in bringing the new site of the highway into fit condition for use by the public, or

(c) to the extent that the council are not the highway authority, any expenses which may become recoverable from them by the highway authority under the provisions of section 27(2) above as applied by section 119B(14) above.

(4) Subsections (3) to (12) of section 119ZA above shall apply to applications under this section as they apply to applications under that section, with the substitution—

(a) for references to a public path diversion order of references to a special diversion order, and

(b) for references to a footpath or bridleway of references to a highway,

and regulations made under that section by virtue of this subsection may make different provision for the purposes of this section and for the purposes of that section.

119D

(1) Subsection (3) below applies where, on an application made in accordance with this section by the appropriate conservation body, it appears to a council, as respects any relevant highway for which they are the highway authority and which is in, forms part of, or is adjacent to or contiguous with, a site of special scientific interest—

(a) that public use of the highway is causing, or that continued public use of the highway is likely to cause, significant damage to the flora, fauna or geological or physiographical features by reason of which the site of special scientific interest is of special interest, and

(b) that it is expedient that the line of the highway, or part of that line should be diverted (whether on to land of the same or another owner, lessee or occupier) for the purpose of preventing such damage.

(2) In subsection (1) “ relevant highway ” means—

(a) a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway,

(b) a highway which is shown in a definitive map and statement as a footpath, a bridleway or a restricted byway but over which the public have a right of way for vehicular and all other kinds of traffic, or

but does not include any highway that is a trunk road or special road.

(3) Where this subsection applies, the council may, by order made by them and submitted to and confirmed by the Secretary of State, or confirmed as an unopposed order,—

(a) create, as from such date as may be specified in the order, any such—

(i) new footpath, bridleway or restricted byway, or

(ii) in a case falling within subsection (2)(b) or (c) above, new highway over which the public have a right of way for vehicular and all other kinds of traffic,

as appears to the council requisite for effecting the diversion, and

(b) extinguish, as from such date as may be specified in the order or determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection (6) below, the public right of way over so much of the way as appears to the council to be requisite for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above.

(4) An order under this section is referred to in this Act as an “ SSSI diversion order ”.

(5) An SSSI diversion order shall not alter a point of termination of the highway—

(a) if that point is not on a highway, or

(b) (where it is on a highway) otherwise than to another point which is on the same highway, or a highway connected with it.

(6) Where it appears to the council that work requires to be done to bring the new site of the highway into a fit condition for use by the public, the council shall—

(a) specify a date under subsection (3)(a) above, and

(b) provide that so much of the order as extinguishes (in accordance with subsection (3)(b) above) a public right of way is not to come into force until the local highway authority for the new highway certify that the work has been carried out.

(7) A right of way created by an SSSI diversion order may be either unconditional or (whether or not the right of way extinguished by the order was subject to limitations or conditions of any description) subject to such limitations or conditions as may be specified in the order.

(8) Before determining to make an SSSI diversion order, the council may require the appropriate conservation body to enter into an agreement with them to defray, or to make such contribution as may be specified in the agreement towards,—

(a) any compensation which may become payable under section 28 above as applied by section 121(2) below,

(b) to the extent that the council are the highway authority for the highway, any expenses which they may incur in bringing the new site of the highway into fit condition for use for the public, or

(c) to the extent that the council are not the highway authority, any expenses which may become recoverable from them by the highway authority under the provisions of section 27(2) above as applied by section 119E(6) below.

(9) The Secretary of State shall not confirm an SSSI diversion order, and a council shall not confirm such an order as an unopposed order, unless he, or as the case may be, they are satisfied that the conditions in subsection (1)(a) and (b) are satisfied, and that it is expedient to confirm the order having regard to the effect which—

(a) the diversion would have on public enjoyment of the right of way as a whole;

(b) the coming into operation of the order would have as respects other land served by the existing public right of way; and

(c) any new public right of way created by the order would have as respects the land over which the right is so created and any land held with it,

(10) Schedule 6 to this Act has effect as to the making, confirmation, validity and date of operation of SSSI diversion orders.

(11) This section has effect subject to section 119E below.

(12) In this section—

“ the appropriate conservation body ” means— as respects England, Natural England , andas respects Wales, the Natural Resources Body for Wales;

“ site of special scientific interest ” has the same meaning as in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

119E

(1) An application under section 119D above shall be in such form as may be prescribed and shall be accompanied by—

(a) a map, on such scale as may be prescribed,—

(i) showing the existing site of so much of the line of the highway as would be diverted if the order were made and the new site to which it would be diverted,

(ii) indicating whether a new right of way would be created by the order over the whole of the new site or whether some of it is already comprised in a highway, and

(iii) where some part of the new site is already so comprised, defining that part,

(b) by an assessment in the prescribed form of the effects of public use of the right of way on the site of special scientific interest, and

(2) At least fourteen days before making an application under section 119D above, the appropriate conservation body shall give a notice in the prescribed form of their intention to do so—

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