The Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993

Filling in of roadside ditches

47.—(1) If it appears to the Department that a ditch on land adjacent to or adjoining a road constitutes a danger to users of the road, the Department may—

(a) if it considers the ditch unnecessary for drainage purposes and any occupier of the land known to the Department agrees in writing that it is unnecessary for those purposes, fill it in; or

(b) place in the ditch or in land adjacent to or adjoining it, such pipes as the Department considers necessary in substitution for the ditch, and thereafter fill it in.

(2) If the owner or occupier of any land suffers damage by reason of the exercise by the Department of any power under paragraph (1), the Department shall pay compensation therefor.

(3) Any question as to whether compensation is payable under this Article or as to the amount of any compensation so payable shall be determined by the Lands Tribunal.