Severn Bridges Act 1992

39 Interpretation

(1) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—

• “the appointed day” means such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint,

• “appointed person” has the meaning given by section 23(1),

• “the bridges” means the existing bridge and the new bridge,

• “bridleway” has the same meaning as in the [1980 c. 66.] Highways Act 1980,

• “concession agreement” has the meaning given by section 4(2)(b),

• “the concessionaire” has the meaning given by section 4(2)(a),

• “the concession period” has the meaning given by section 6,

• “cycle track” has the same meaning as in the Highways Act 1980,

• “the deposited plans” and “the deposited sections” mean respectively the plans and sections deposited in November 1990 in connection with the Severn Bridges Bill in the office of the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Private Bill Office of the House of Commons,

• “exercise” includes performance and related expressions shall be construed accordingly,

• “the existing bridge” means the bridges and viaduct shown as the existing bridge on the explanatory map,

• “the existing toll plaza area” means the area shown as such on the explanatory map (including extensions to it),

• “the explanatory map” means the map marked “Existing bridge and toll plaza area” deposited in November 1990 in connection with the Severn Bridges Bill in the office of the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Private Bill Office of the House of Commons,

• “footpath” has the same meaning as in the Highways Act 1980,

• “functions” includes powers, duties and obligations,

• “highway” has the same meaning it has for the purposes of the Highways Act 1980,

• “the limits of deviation” mean the limits of deviation which are shown on the deposited plans,

• “the limits of land for temporary occupation” means the limits of land of which temporary possession may be taken which are so shown,

• “the limits of land to be acquired” means the limits of land to be acquired which are so shown,

• “local authority” means a district council or a county council,

• “maintenance” includes repair and related expressions shall be construed accordingly,

• “modifications” includes omissions, additions and alterations and related expressions shall be construed accordingly,

• “the new bridge” means the bridge mentioned in section 1(1) (Work No. 3),

• “the new toll plaza area” means so much of Work No. 2 as lies within the area marked as such on the deposited plans (including extensions to it),

• “owner” has the same meaning as in the [1981 c. 67.] Acquisition of Land Act 1981,

• “relevant functions” has the meaning given by section 4(3),

• “the relevant inward limit” means an imaginary straight line drawn from east to west through the Inward Rocks on the western bank of the river Severn at Ordnance Survey National Grid reference ST 56895 95270,

• “retail prices index” shall be construed in accordance with section 10(3) and (4),

• “the scheduled works” shall be construed in accordance with section 1(1),

• “special road” has the same meaning as in the [1980 c. 66.] Highways Act 1980,

• “toll” means a toll leviable under this Act,

• “the toll plaza areas” means the existing toll plaza area and the new toll plaza area, and

• “trunk road” has the same meaning as in the Highways Act 1980.

(2) In this Act—

(a) a reference to a highway or any other place identified by letters and numbers or a real name is a reference to the highway or place shown as such on the deposited plans,

(b) a reference to a work identified by a number (or a number and a letter) is a reference to the scheduled work of that number (or number and letter),

(c) references to specified distances shall be construed as if the words “or thereabouts” were inserted after each such distance, and

(d) distances between points on a highway shall be measured along the centre line of the highway.