Where in pursuance of an order made under section fifteen any highway is permanently stopped up or diverted, and immediately before the date on which the order became operative there was under, in, upon, over, along or across the highway any telegraphic line belonging to or used by the Postmaster General, the Postmaster General shall have the same powers in respect of that line as if the highway had not been stopped up or diverted:

Provided that if any person entitled to land over which the highway subsisted requires that the telegraphic line should be altered, paragraphs (1) to (8) of section seven of the [41 & 42 Vict. c. 76.] Telegraph Act, 1878, shall apply to the alteration and accordingly shall have effect, subject to any necessary modifications, as if references therein to undertakers included references to the person so requiring the line to be altered.

In this paragraph the expression "alter" has the same meaning as in the Telegraph Act, 1878.

Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as limiting the powers conferred by Part IV (which relates to telegraphic lines constructed in the exercise of emergency powers).