20Classification of roads
(1)On and after 16th May 1975, a road or proposed road which, immediately before that date, is classified under section 28(2) of the Act of 1966 as a principal road for the purposes of section 8 of the [1909 c. 47.] Development and Road Improvement Funds Act 1909, so far as that section relates to the making of advances to local highway authorities, shall cease to be so classified for the purposes of the said section 8 but, except in so far as the Secretary of State otherwise directs, shall continue to be treated as a principal road or a classified road for the purposes of any enactment (whether passed or made before or after the commencement of this Act) which refers to roads or highways classified under any enactment as principal roads (whether for the purposes of advances under the said section 8 or otherwise) or, as the case may be. to roads or highways classified by the Secretary of State.
(2)The Secretary of State may by order assign some other description to the roads which, whether by virtue of subsection (1) above or otherwise, are for the time being treated as principal roads for the purposes of any enactment.
(3)If an order is made under subsection (2) above then, except in so far as the order otherwise provides, any reference to a principal road in any enactment passed or made before the order is made shall be construed as a reference to a road of the description specified in the order.
(4)Nothing in subsection (2) above shall affect the power of the Secretary of State under section 28(2) of the Act of 1966 to classify particular roads or proposed roads in such manner as he may determine after consultation with the highway authorities concerned.