Severn Bridges Act 1992

Miscellaneous

32 Toll plaza areas and vehicle pounds

(1) The Secretary of State may—

(a) maintain, improve and extend the toll plaza areas by carrying out such works as may be expedient for the purpose of or in connection with the collection of tolls, and

(b) provide, maintain and improve areas for accommodating vehicles removed in accordance with regulations under section 21(1)(e) above.

(2) Any work done or to be done in pursuance of the power conferred by subsection (1) above—

(a) if it is done or to be done by virtue of paragraph (a), shall be treated as an improvement of a special road under Part V of the [1980 c. 66.] Highways Act 1980, and

(b) if it is done or to be done by virtue of paragraph (b), shall be treated as the provision, maintenance or improvement of a service station for use in connection with a special road;

and section 239(3) and (4)(c) of that Act (power to acquire land) shall apply accordingly.

33 Consent of National Rivers Authority etc

(1) The Secretary of State shall not use or interfere with any watercourse (including the banks of a watercourse), or any drainage or other works, vested in or under the control of the National Rivers Authority or any other drainage body within the meaning of the [1991 c. 59.] Land Drainage Act 1991 in the exercise of any of the powers conferred by this Act without the consent of the National Rivers Authority or that body.

(2) A consent required for the purposes of subsection (1) above shall not be unreasonably withheld; and if any question arises whether the withholding of consent is unreasonable either party may require it to be referred to an arbitrator to be appointed, in default of agreement, by the President of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

34 Rates

The bridges and the premises situated within the toll plaza areas shall be exempt from non-domestic rating.

35 Planning permission

The carrying out on any land of works required or permitted to be carried out by the concession agreement shall not be taken for the purposes of the [1990 c. 8.] Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to involve development of the land.