Tramways Act 1870

1870 CHAPTER 78 33 and 34 Vict

An Act to facilitate the construction and to regulate the working of Tramways.

[9th August 1870]

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Functions of Board of Trade now exercisable by Secretary of State: Ministry of Transport Act 1919 (c. 50), s. 2, S.I. 1953/1204 (1953 I, p. 1225), art. 3(1), 1959/1768 (1959 I, p. 1793), art. 3(2), 1970/1681, art. 2(1), 1976/1775, art. 2(1), 1979/571, art. 2(1) and 1981/238, arts. 2(2), 3(2)(3)

Commencement Information

I1 Act wholly in force at Royal Assent

preliminary E+W+S

1 Short title. E+W+S

This Act may be cited for all purposes as “The Tramways Act 1870.”

2 Limitation of Act. E+W+S

This Act shall not extend to Ireland.

3 Interpretation of terms. E+W+S

For the purposes of this Act the terms herein-after mentioned shall have the meanings herein-after assigned to them: that is to say,

• The terms “local authority” and “local rate” shall mean respectively the bodies of persons and rate named in the table in Part One of the schedule (A.) to this Act annexed:

• [F1 The term “road” shall mean any carriageway being a public highway, and the carriageway of any bridge forming part of or leading to the same:]

• [The term “road” shall mean the carriageway of any public road within the meaning of section 151(1) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984:]

• The term “road authority” shall mean, in the districts specified in the table in Part Two of the schedule (A.) to this Act annexed, the bodies of persons named in the same table, and elsewhere any local authority, board, town council, body corporate, commissioners, trustees, vestry, or other body of persons in whom a road as defined by this Act is vested, or who have the power to maintain or repair such road.

• The term “district” in relation to a local authority or road authority, shall mean the area within the jurisdiction of such local authority or road authority:

• The term “prescribed” shall mean prescribed by any rules made in pursuance of this Act:

• The term “the Lands Clauses Acts” means, so far as the Provisional Order in which that term is used relates to England, the M1 Lands Clauses Consolidation Act 1845; and so far as the same relates to Scotland, the M2 Lands Clauses Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1845; together with, in each case, the M3 Lands Clauses Consolidation Acts Amendment Act 1860:

• The term “two justices” shall, in addition to its ordinary signification, mean one stipendiary or police magistrate acting in any police court for the district.

Textual Amendments

F1 Definition of “road” referring to Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 substituted (S.) by Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (c. 54, SIF 108), s. 156(1), Sch. 9 para. 6

Marginal Citations

M1 1845 c. 18.

M2 1845 c. 19.

M3 1860 c. 106.

Part I E+W+S

Provisional Orders authorizing the Construction of Tramways E+W+S

4 By whom Provisional Orders authorising the construction of tramways may be obtained. E+W+S

Provisional Orders authorizing the construction of tramways in any district may be obtained by—

(1) The local authority of such district; or by—

(2) Any person, persons, corporation, or company, with the consent of the local authority of such district; . . . F2

And any such local authority, person, persons, corporation, or company shall be deemed to be promoters of a tramway, and are in this Act referred to as “the promoters”.

Application for a Provisional Order shall not be made by any local authority until such application shall be approved in the manner prescribed in Part III of the schedule A. to this Act annexed.

Where in any district there is a road authority distinct from the local authority, the consent of such road authority shall also be necessary in any case where power is sought to break up any road subject to the jurisdiction of such road authority, before any Provisional Order can be obtained.

Textual Amendments

F2 Words repealed by Highways Act 1959 (c. 25), Sch. 25 and London Government Act 1963 (c. 33), s. 16(2), Sch. 6 para. 70

5 The Board of Trade may in certain cases dispense with the consent of local or road authority. E+W+S

Where it is proposed to lay down a tramway in two or more districts, and any local or road authority having jurisdiction in any of such districts does not consent thereto, the Board of Trade may, nevertheless, make a Provisional Order authorizing the construction of such tramway if they are satisfied, after inquiry, that two thirds of the length of such tramway is proposed to be laid in a district or in districts the local and road authority or the local and road authorities of which district or districts do consent thereto; and in such case they shall make a special report stating the grounds upon which they have made such order.

6 Notices and deposit of documents by promoters as in schedule. E+W+S

The promoters intending to make an application for a Provisional Order shall proceed as follows:—

(1) In the months of October and November next before their application, or in one of those months, they shall publish notice of their intention to make such application by advertisement; and they shall, on or before the fifteenth day of the following month of December, serve notice of such intention, in accordance with the standing orders (if any) of both Houses of Parliament for the time being in force with respect to Bills for the construction of tramways:

(2) On or before the thirtieth day of the same month of November they shall deposit the documents described in Part Two of the same schedule, according to the regulations therein contained:

(3) On or before the twenty-third day of December in the same year they shall deposit the documents described in Part Three of the same schedule, according to the regulations therein contained:

All maps, plans, and documents required by this Act to be deposited for the purposes of any Provisional Order may be deposited with the persons and in the manner directed by the M4 Parliamentary Documents Deposit Act 1837; and all the provisions of that Act shall apply accordingly.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 The “same schedule” means Sch. B to this Act

Marginal Citations

M4 1837 c. 83.

7 Power for Board of Trade to determine on application and on objection. E+W+S

The Board of Trade shall consider the application, and may, if they think fit, direct an inquiry in the district to which the same relates, or may otherwise inquire as to the propriety of proceeding upon such application, and they shall consider any objection thereto that may be lodged with them on or before such day as they from time to time appoint, and shall determine whether or not the promoters may proceed with the application.

8 Power for Board of Trade to make Provisional Order. Form and contents of Provisional Order. E+W+S

Where it appears to the Board of Trade expedient and proper that the application should be granted, with or without addition or modification, or subject or not to any restriction or condition, the Board of Trade may settle and make a Provisional Order accordingly.

Every such Provisional Order shall empower the promoters therein specified to make the tramway upon the guage and in manner therein described, and shall contain such provisions as (subject to the requirements of this Act) the Board of Trade, according to the nature of the application and the facts and circumstances of each case, think fit to submit to Parliament for confirmation in manner provided by this Act; but so that any such Provisional Order shall not contain any provision for empowering the promoters or any other person to acquire lands otherwise than by agreement, or to acquire any lands, even by agreement, except to an extent therein limited, or to construct a tramway elsewhere than along or across a road, or upon land taken by agreement.

9 Regulations as to construction of tramways in towns. E+W+S

Every tramway in a town which is hereafter authorized by Provisional Order shall be constructed and maintained as nearly as may be in the middle of the road; and no tramway shall be authorized by any Provisional Order to be so laid that for a distance of thirty feet or upwards a less space than nine feet and six inches shall intervene between the outside of the footpath on either side of the road and the nearest rail of the tramway if one third of the owners or one third of the occupiers of the houses, shops, or warehouses abutting upon the part of the road where such less space shall intervene as aforesaid shall in the prescribed manner and at the prescribed time express their dissent from any tramway being so laid.

10 Nature of traffic on tramway and tolls to be specified in Provisional Order. E+W+S

Every such Provisional Order shall specify the nature of the traffic for which such tramway is to be used, and the tolls and charges which may be demanded and taken by the promoters in respect of the same, and shall contain such regulations relating to such traffic and such tolls and charges as the Board of Trade shall deem necessary and proper.

11 Costs of Order. E+W+S

The costs of and connected with the preparation and making of each Provisional Order shall be paid by the promoters, and the Board of Trade may require the promoters to give security for such costs before they proceed with the Provisional Order.

12 Promoters to deposit 4l. per cent. on estimate in prescribed bank. E+W+S

After a Provisional Order is ready, and before the same is delivered by the Board of Trade, the promoters, unless they are a local authority, shall within the prescribed time and in the prescribed manner, and subject to the prescribed conditions as to interest, repayment, or forfeiture, pay, as a deposit, into the prescribed bank, the sum of money prescribed, which shall not be less than four pounds per centum on the amount of the estimate by the promoters of the expense of the construction of the tramway, or deposit in such bank any security of the prescribed nature the then value of which is not less than such sum of money.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 12 amended (E.W.) by Administration of Justice Act 1965 (c. 2), Sch. 1

13 Publication of Provisional Order as in schedule. E+W+S

When a Provisional Order has been as aforesaid and delivered to the promoters, the promoters shall forthwith publish the same by deposit and advertisement, according to the regulations contained in Part Four of the schedule (B.) to this Act.

14 Confirmation of Provisional Order by Act of Parliament. E+W+S

On proof to the satisfaction of the Board of Trade of the completion of such publication as aforesaid, the Board of Trade shall, as soon as they conveniently can after the expiration of seven days from the completion of such publication, procure a Bill to be introduced into either House of Parliament in relation to any Provisional Order which shall have been published as aforesaid not later than the twenty-fifth of April in any year, for an Act to confirm the Provisional Order, which shall be set out at length in the schedule to the Bill; and until confirmation, with or without amendment, by Act of Parliament, a Provisional Order under this Act shall not have any operation.

If while any such Bill is pending in either House of Parliament a petition is presented against any Provisional Order comprised therein, the Bill, so far as it relates to the order petitioned against, may be referred to a select committee, and the petitioner shall be allowed to appear and oppose as in the case of a Bill for a special Act.

The Act of Parliament confirming a Provisional Order under this Act shall be deemed a Public General Act.

15 Incorporation of general Acts in Provisional Order. E+W+S

The provisions of the Lands Clauses Acts shall be incorporated with every Provisional Order under this Act, save where the same are expressly varied or excepted by any such Provisional Order, and except as to the following provisions, namely,—

(1) With respect to the purchase and taking of lands otherwise than by agreement:

(2) With respect to the entry upon lands by the promoters of the undertaking.

For the purposes of such incorporation a Provisional Order under this Act shall be deemed the special Act.

16 Power of Board of Trade to revoke, amend, extend, or vary Provisional Order. E+W+S

The Board of Trade on the application of any promoters empowered by a Provisional Order may from time to time revoke, amend, extend, or vary such Provisional Order by a further Provisional Order.

Every application for such further Provisional Order shall be made in like manner and subject to the like conditions as the application for the former Provisional Order.

Every such further Provisional Order shall be made and confirmed in like manner in every respect as the former Provisional Order, and until such confirmation such further Provisional Order shall not have any operation.

17 Power to authorise joint work. E+W+S

Subject and according to the provisions of this Act, the Board of Trade may, on a joint application, or on two or more separate applications, settle and make a Provisional Order empowering two or more local authorities, respectively, jointly to construct the whole, or separately to construct parts, of a tramway, and jointly or separately to own the whole or parts thereof; and all the provisions of this Act which relate to the construction of tramways shall extend and apply to the construction of the whole and separate parts of such tramway as last aforesaid; and the form of the Provisional Order may be adapted to the circumstances of the case.

18 Cesser of powers at expiration of prescribed time. E+W+S

If the promoters empowered by any Provisional Order under this Act to make a tramway, do not, within two years from the date of the same, or within any shorter period prescribed therein, complete the tramway and open it for public traffic; or,

• If within one year from the date of the Provisional Order, or within such shorter time as is prescribed in the same, the works are not substantially commenced; or,

• If the works having been commenced are suspended without a reason sufficient in the opinion of Board of Trade to warrant such suspension;

the powers given by the Provisional Order to the promoters for constructing such tramway, executing such works, or otherwise in relation thereto, shall cease to be exercised, except as to so much of the same as is then completed, unless the time be prolonged by the special direction of the Board of Trade; and as to so much of the same as is then completed the Board of Trade may allow the said powers to continue and to be exercised if they shall think fit, but failing such permission the same shall cease to be exercised, and where such permission is withheld then so much of the said tramway as is then completed shall be deemed to be a tramway to which all the provisions of this Act relating to the discontinuance of tramways after proof of such discontinuance shall apply, and may be dealt with accordingly.

A notice purporting to be published by the Board of Trade in the London or Edinburgh Gazette, accordingly as the district to which it relates is situate in England or Scotland, to the effect that a tramway has not been completed and opened for public traffic, or that the works have not been substantially commenced, or that they have been suspended without sufficient reason, shall be conclusive evidence for the purposes of this section of such non-completion, non-commencement, or suspension.

19 Local authority may lease or take tolls. E+W+S

When a tramway has been completed under the authority of a Provisional Order by any local authority, or where any local authority has under the provisions of this Act acquired possession of any tramway, such authority may, with the consent of the Board of Trade, and subject to the provisions of this Act, by lease, to be approved of by the Board of Trade, demise to any person, persons, corporation, or company the right of user by such person, persons, corporation, or company of the tramway, and of demanding and taking in respect of the same the tolls and charges authorized; or such authority may leave such tramway open to be used by the public, and may in respect of such user demand and take the tolls and charges authorized; but nothing in this Act contained shall authorize any local authority to place or run carriages upon such tramway, and to demand and take tolls and charges in respect of the use of such carriages.

Notice of the intention to make such lease shall be published by the local authority by advertisement, and a copy of such lease shall be deposited according to the regulations contained in Part I of the schedule (C.) to this Act annexed; and unless such notice is given, and such copy deposited, such lease shall not be approved of by the Board of Trade.

Every such lease shall be made for a term or for terms not exceeding in the whole twenty-one years.

On the determination of any lease made under this Act, the local authority may from time to time, with the consent of the Board of Trade, by lease, demise such rights for such further term or terms, not exceeding in any case twenty-one years, as the said Board may approve.

Every such lease shall imply a condition of re-entry if at any time after the making of the same the lessees discontinue the working of the tramway leased, or of any part thereof, for the space of three calendar months (such discontinuance not being occasioned by circumstances beyond the control of such lessees, for which purpose the want of sufficient funds shall not be considered a circumstance beyond their control).

The person, persons, corporation, or company to whom any such lease may be made are in this Act referred to as “lessees.”

20 How expenses to be defrayed. E+W+S

Where the local authority in any district are the promoters of any tramway, they shall pay all expenses incurred by them in applying for and obtaining a Provisional Order, and carrying into effect the purposes of such Provisional Order, out of the local rate, and any such expenses shall be deemed to be purposes for which such local rate may be made, and to which the same may be applied.

Where the local rate is limited by law to a certain amount and is by reason of such limitation insufficient for the payment of such expenses, the Board of Trade may, by the Provisional Order, extend the limit of such local rate to such amount as they shall think fit, and prescribe for the payment of such expenses.

Such local authority may, for the purposes of such Provisional Order, borrow [F3 and take up at interest, on the credit of such local rate,] any sums of money necessary for defraying any such expenses; [F3 and for the purpose of securing the repayment of any sums so borrowed, together with such interest as aforesaid, such local authority may mortgage to the persons by or on behalf of whom such sums are advanced such local rate; but the exercise of the above-mentioned power shall be subject to the following regulations:

(1) The money so borrowed shall not exceed such sum as may be sanctioned by the Board of Trade:

(2) The money may be borrowed for such time, not exceeding thirty years, as such local authority, with the sanction of the Board of Trade, shall determine; and, subject as aforesaid to the repayment within thirty years, such local authority may either pay off the moneys so borrowed by equal annual instalments, or they may in every year set apart as a sinking fund, and accumulate in the way of compound interest by investing the same in the purchase of exchequer bills or other government securities, such sum as will be sufficient to pay off the moneys so borrowed, or a part thereof, at such times as the local authority may determine.

The provisions of the M5 Commissioners Clauses Act 1847, with respect to the mortgages to be executed by the Commissioners, shall apply to any mortgage executed under the foregoing provisions of this section, and for the purposes of such application the said provision shall be incorporated with this Act.

For the purposes of such incorporation the terms “the special Act,” and “the Commissioners,” shall be construed to mean respectively a Provisional Order under this Act, and the local authority.]

Such local authority shall keep separate accounts of all moneys paid by them in applying for, obtaining, and carrying into effect any such Provisional Order, and in the repayment of moneys borrowed, and of all moneys received by them, by way of rent or tolls in respect of the tramway authorized thereby.

When, after payment of all charges incurred under the authority of this Act, and necessary for giving effect to such Provisional Order, there shall be remaining in the hands of such local authority any of the moneys received by them by way of rent or tolls in respect of the tramway authorized by such Provisional Order, such moneys shall be applied by them to the purposes for which the local rate may be by them applied.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words repealed by (E.W. except London), Local Government Act 1933 (c. 51), Sch. 11 Pt. IV and (S.), Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947 (c. 43), Sch. 14

Marginal Citations

M5 1847 c. 16.

21 Metropolitan Board may, for carrying Provisional Order into effect, create stock under Loans Act of 1869. E+W+S

The Metropolitan Board of Works may, in order to raise money for the purpose of carrying into effect the purposes of any Provisional Order obtained by them, create additional stock, not exceeding in the whole three hundred thousand pounds, under the M6 Metropolitan Board of Works (Loans) Act 1869, in like manner, and with the like sanction, in and with which they may create stock in order to raise money for the purposes of the Acts mentioned in the first schedule to that Act; and all the provisions of that Act shall apply as if that money were raised and that stock were created for the purposes of the last mentioned Acts, with the exception that the money required for the purposes of any such Provisional Order may be borrowed by them in addition to the sum limited by section thirty-eight of the Metropolitan Board of Works (Loans) Act 1869.

Marginal Citations

M6 1869 c. 102.

Part II E+W+S

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 Pts. II and III (ss. 22-64) modified by Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) Act 1991 (c. xvi), s.10

C5 Pts. II and III (ss. 22-64) modified (12.11.1992) by Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) Act 1992 (c. xviii), s.10

Construction of Tramways E+W+S

22 As to incorporation of Parts II and III of this Act with Provisional Order and special Acts. E+W+S

Part II and Part III of this Act shall apply to every tramway which is hereafter authorized by any Provisional Order or Act of Parliament, and shall be incorporated with such Provisional Order or Act, and all the said provisions of this Act, save so far as they shall be expressly varied or excepted by any such Provisional Order or Act, shall apply to the undertaking authorized thereby, so far as the same shall be applicable to such undertaking, and shall, with the provisions of every other Act or part of any Act which shall be incorporated therewith, form part of the said Provisional Order or Act, and be construed therewith as forming one Provisional Order or Act, as the case may be.

23 “Special Act.” E+W+S

In Part II and Part III of this Act, the term “special Act” shall be construed to mean any Act of Parliament which shall be hereafter passed or any Provisional Order authorizing the construction of a tramway, and with which the said parts of this Act shall be incorporated as aforesaid.

24 “Promoters.” E+W+S

The term “the promoters” shall mean any person, persons, corporation, company, or local authority authorized by special Act to construct a tramway.

25 Mode of formation of tramways. E+W+S

Every tramway which is hereafter authorized by special Act shall be constructed on such gauge as may be prescribed by such special Act, and if no gauge is thereby prescribed, on such gauge as will admit of the use upon such tramways of carriages constructed for use upon railways of a gauge of four feet eight inches and half an inch; and shall be laid and maintained in such manner that the uppermost surface of the rail shall be on a level with the surface of the road; and shall not be opened for public traffic until the same has been inspected and certified to be fit for such traffic, in the prescribed manner.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C6 S. 25 restricted (16.3.1992) by Midland Metro Act 1992 (c. vii), s. 5(5)

26 Power to break up streets, &c. E+W+S

The promoters from time to time, for the purpose of making, forming, laying down, maintaining, and renewing any tramway duly authorized, or any part or parts thereof respectively, may open and break up any road, subject to the following regulations:

(1) They shall give to the road authority notice of their intention, specifying the time at which they will begin to do so, and the portion of road proposed to be opened or broken up, such notice to be given seven days at least before the commencement of the work:

(2) They shall not open, or break up, or alter the level of any road, except under the superintendence and to the reasonable satisfaction of the road authority, unless that authority refuses or neglects to give such superintendence at the time specified in the notice, or discontinues the same during the work;

(3) They shall pay all reasonable expenses to which the road authority is put on account of such superintendence:

(4) They shall not, without the consent of the road authority, open or break up at any one time a greater length than one hundred yards of any road which does not exceed a quarter of a mile in length, and in the case of any road exceeding a quarter of a mile in length the promoters shall leave an interval of at least a quarter of a mile between any two places at which they may open or break up the road, and they shall not open or break up at any such place a greater length than one hundred yards.

Where the carriageway over any bridge forms part of or is a road within the jurisdiction of a road authority, but such bridge is vested in some person or persons, corporation, or company, distinct from such road authority, any work which the promoters may be empowered to construct, and which affects or in anywise interferes with the structural works of such bridge, shall be constructed under the superintendence (at the cost of the promoters) and to the reasonable satisfaction of such person, persons, corporation, or company, unless after notice to be given by the promoters seven days at least before the commencement of such work such superintendence is refused or withheld.

Where the carriageway in or upon which any tramway is proposed to be formed or laid down is crossed by any railway or tramway on the level, any work which the promoters may be empowered to construct, and which affects or in anywise interferes with such railway or tramways, or the traffic thereon, shall be constructed and maintained under the superintendence (at the cost of the promoters) and to the reasonable satisfaction of the person, corporation, or company owning such railway or tramway, unless after notice to be given by the promoters seven days at least before the commencement of such work such superintendence is refused or withheld.

27 Completion of works and reinstatement of road. E+W+S

When the promoters have opened or broken up any portion of any road, they shall be under the following further obligations, namely,

(1) They shall, with all convenient speed, and in all cases within four weeks at the most (unless the road authority otherwise consents in writing) complete the work on account of which they opened or broke up the same, and (subject to the formation, maintenance, or renewal of the tramway) fill in the ground and make good the surface, and, to the satisfaction of the road authority, restore the portion of the road to as good condition as that in which it was before it was opened or broken up, and clear away all surplus paving or metalling material or rubbish occasioned thereby:

(2) They shall in the meantime cause the place where the road is opened or broken up to be fenced and watched, and to be properly lighted at night:

(3) They shall bear or pay all reasonable expenses of the repair of the road for six months after the same is restored, as far as those expenses are increased by the opening or breaking up.

If the promoters aforesaid fail to comply in any respect with the provisions of the present section, they shall for every such offence (without prejudice to the enforcement of specific performance of the requirements of this Act or to any other remedy against them) be liable to a penalty not exceeding [F4 level 2 on the standard scale], and to a further penalty not exceeding five pounds for each day during which any such failure continues after the first day on which such penalty is incurred.

Textual Amendments

F4 Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), s. 289G

28 Repair of part of road where tramway is laid. E+W+S

The promoters shall, at their own expense, at all times maintain and keep in good condition and repair, with such materials and in such manner as the road authority shall direct and to their satisfaction, so much of any road whereon any tramway belonging to them is laid as lies between the rails of the tramway and (where two tramways are laid by the same promoters in any road at a distance of not more than four feet from each other) the portion of the road between the tramways, and in every case so much of the road as extends eighteen inches beyond the rails of and on each side of any such tramway. If the promoters abandon their undertaking, or any part of the same, and take up any tramway or any part of any tramway belonging to them, they shall with all convenient speed, and in all cases within six weeks at the most (unless the road authority otherwise consents in writing) fill in the ground and make good the surface, and, to the satisfaction of the road authority, restore the portion of the road upon which such tramway was laid to as good a condition as that in which it was before such tramway was laid thereon, and clear away all surplus paving or metalling material or rubbish occasioned by such work; and they shall in the meantime cause the place where the road is opened or broken up to be fenced and watched, and to be properly lighted at night: Provided always, that if the promoters fail to comply with the provisions of this section, the road authority, if they think fit, may themselves at any time, after seven days notice to the promoters, open and break up the road, and do the works necessary for the repair and maintenance or restoration of the road, to the extent in this section above mentioned, and the expense incurred by the road authority in so doing shall be repaid to them by the promoters.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 28 restricted by London Passenger Transport Act 1933 (c. 14), s. 100

29 Road authority and promoters may contract for paving roads on which tramways are laid. E+W+S

The road authority on the one hand and the promoters on the other hand may from time to time enter into and carry into effect, and from time to time, alter, renew, or vary, contracts, agreements, or arrangements with respect to the paving and keeping in repair of the whole or any portion of the roadway of any road on which the promoters shall lay any tramway, and the proportion to be paid by either of them of the expense of such paving and keeping in repair.

30 Provision as to gas and water companies. E+W+S

For the purpose of making, forming, laying down, maintaining, repairing, or renewing any of their tramways, the promoters may from time to time, where and as far as it is necessary, or may appear expedient for the purpose of preventing frequent interruption of the traffic by repairs or works in connexion with the same, alter the position of any mains or pipes for the supply of gas or water, or any tube, wires, or apparatus for telegraphic or other purposes, subject to the provisions of this Act, and also subject to the following restrictions; (that is to say,)

(1) Before laying down a tramway in a road in which any mains or pipes, tubes, wires, or apparatus may be laid, the promoters shall, whether they contemplate altering the position of any such mains or pipes, wires or apparatus, or not, give seven days notice to the company, persons, or person to whom such mains or pipes, tubes, wires, or apparatus may belong or by whom they are controlled, of their intention to lay down or alter the tramway, and shall at the same time deliver a plan and section of the proposed work. If it should appear to any such company or person that the construction of the tramway as proposed would endanger any such main or pipe, tube, wire, or apparatus, or interfere with or impede the supply of water or gas or the telegraphic or other communication, such company or person (as the case may be) may give notice to the promoters to lower or otherwise alter the position of the said mains or pipes, tubes, wires, or apparatus in such manner as may be considered necessary, and any difference as to the necessity of any such lowering or alteration shall be settled in manner provided by this Act for the settlement of differences between the promoters and other companies or persons, and all alterations to be made under this section shall be made with as little detriment and inconvenience to the company or person to whom such mains or pipes, tubes, wires, or apparatus may belong, or by whom the same are controlled, or to the inhabitants of the district, as the circumstances will admit, and under the superintendence of such company or person or of their surveyor or engineer if they or he think fit to attend, after receiving not less than forty-eight hours notice for that purpose, which notice the promoters are hereby required to give:

(2) The promoters shall not remove or displace any of the mains or pipes, valves, syphons, plugs, tubes, wires, or apparatus, or other works belonging to or controlled by any such company or person, or do anything to impede the passage of water or gas or the telegraphic or other communication into or through such mains or pipes without the consent of such company or person, or in any other manner than such company or person shall approve, until good and sufficient mains, pipes, valves, syphons, plugs, and other works necessary or proper for continuing the supply of water or gas or telegraphic or other communication, as sufficiently as the same was supplied by the mains or pipes, tubes, wires, or apparatus proposed to be removed or displaced, shall at the expense of the promoters have been first made and laid down in lieu thereof and ready for use, and to the satisfaction of the surveyor or engineer of such water or gas or other company, or of such person, or, in case of disagreement between such surveyor or engineer and the promoters, as an engineer appointed by the Board of Trade shall direct:

(3) The promoters shall not lay down any such pipes contrary to the regulations of any Act of Parliament relating to such water or gas or other company, or relating to telegraphs:

(4) The promoters shall make good all damage done by them to property belonging to or controlled by any such company or person, and shall make full compensation to all parties for any loss or damage which they may sustain by reason of any interference with such property, or with the private service pipes of any person supplied by any such company or person with water or gas:

(5) If by any such operations as aforesaid the promoters interrupt the supply of water or gas in or through any main or main pipe they shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds for every day upon which the supply shall be so interrupted.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C8 S. 30 extended by London Passenger Transport Act 1933 (c. 14), s. 93(3)

31 For protection of sewers, &c. E+W+S

Where in any district any tramway or any work connected therewith interferes with any sewer, drain, watercourse, subway, defence, or work in such district, or in any way affects the sewerage or drainage of such district, the promoters shall not commence any tramway or work until they shall have given to the proper authority fourteen days previous notice in writing of their intention to commence the same, by leaving such notice at the principal office of such authority with all necessary particulars relating thereto, nor until such authority shall have signified their approval of the same, unless such authority do not signify their approval, disapproval, or other directions within fourteen days after service of the said notice and particulars as aforesaid, and the promoters shall comply with and conform to all reasonable directions and regulations of the said authority in the execution of the said works, and shall provide by new, altered, or substituted works, in such manner as such authority shall reasonably require, for the proper protection of and for preventing injury or impediment to the sewers and works herein-before referred to, or by reason of the tramways, and shall save harmless the said authority against all and every the expense to be occasioned thereby; and all such works shall be done under the direction, superintendence, and control of the engineer or other officer or officers of the said authority, at the reasonable costs, charges, and expenses in all respects of the promoters; and when any new, altered, or substituted work as aforesaid, or any works or defence connected therewith, shall be completed by or at the costs, charges, or expenses of the promoters under the provisions of this Act, the same shall thereafter be as fully and completely under the direction, jurisdiction, and control of the said authority and be maintained by them as any sewers or works.

32 Rights of authorities and companies, &c. to open roads. E+W+S

Nothing in this Act shall take away or abridge any power to open or break up any road along or across which any tramway is laid, or any other power vested in any local authority or road authority for any of the purposes for which such authority is respectively constituted, or in any company, body, or person for the purpose of laying down, repairing, altering, or removing any pipe for the supply of gas [F5 or water] , or any tubes, wires, or apparatus for telegraphic or other purposes, but in the exercise of such power every such local authority, road authority, company, body, or person shall be subject to the following restrictions; (that is to say,)

(1) They shall cause as little detriment or inconvenience to the promoters and lessees as circumstances admit:

(2) Before they commence any work whereby the traffic on the tramway will be interrupted they shall (except in cases of urgency, in which cases no notice shall be necessary) give to the promoters and lessees, if there be any, notice of their intention to commence such work, specifying the time at which they will begin to do so, such notice to be given eighteen hours at least before the commencement of the work:

(3) They shall not be liable to pay to the promoters or lessees any compensation for injury done to the tramway by the execution of such work, or for loss of traffic occasioned thereby, or for the reasonable exercise of the powers so vested in them as aforesaid:

(4) Whenever for the purpose of enabling them to execute such work the local authority or the road authority shall so require, the promoters or lessees shall either stop traffic on the tramway to which the notice shall refer, where it would otherwise interfere with such work, or shore up and secure the same at their own risk and cost during the execution of the work there: Provided that such work shall always be completed by the local authority or the road authority, as the case may be, with all reasonable expedition:

(5) Any company, body, or person shall not execute such work so far as it immediately affects the tramway except under the superintendence of the promoters, unless they refuse or neglect to give such superintendence at the time specified in the notice for the commencement of the work or discontinue the same during the progress of the work; and they shall execute such work at their own expense, and to the reasonable satisfaction of the promoters: Provided that any additional expense imposed upon them by reason of the existence of the tramway in any road or place where any such mains, pipes, tubes, wires, or apparatus shall have been laid before the construction of such tramway shall be borne by the promoters.

Textual Amendments

F5 Words repealed (E.W.) by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 190(3), Sch. 27 Part I (with ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 41(1), 57(6), 58)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9 S. 32 applied by (S.) Water (Scotland) Act 1980 (c. 45), Sch. 3 para. 2(3)

C10 S. 32(1)–(5) applied with modifications (E.W.) by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 153(1), Sch. 19 para. 2(7)(9)(11) (with ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58)

C11 S. 32(1)-(5) extended (with modifications) (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 178, 225(2), Sch. 22, para. 3(6) (with ss. 179, 222(3), Sch. 22 para. 1, Sch. 23 para. 6)

33 Difference between promoters and road authority, &c. E+W+S

If any difference arises between the promoters or lessees on the one hand and any local authority or road authority, or any gas or water company, or any company, body, or person to whom any sewer, drain, tube, wires, or apparatus for telegraphic or other purposes may belong, or any other company, on the other hand, with respect to any inteference or control, exercised, or claimed to be exercised, by them or him, or on their or his behalf, or by the promoters or lessees by virtue of this Act, in relation to any tramway or work, or in relation to any work or proceeding of the local authority, road authority, body, company, or person, or with respect to the propriety of or the mode of execution of any work relating to any tramway, or with respect to the amount of any compensation to be made by or to the promoters or lessees, or on the question whether any work is such as ought reasonably to satisfy the local authority, road authority, body, company, or person concerned, or with respect to any other subject or thing regulated by or comprised in this Act, the matter in difference shall (unless otherwise specially provided by this Act) be settled by an engineer or other fit person nominated as referee by the Board of Trade on the application of either party, and the expenses of the reference shall be borne and paid as the referee directs.

Part III E+W+S General Provisions

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C12 Pts. II and III (ss. 22-64) modified by Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) Act 1991 (c. xvi), s.10

C13 Pts. II and III (ss. 22-64) modified (12.11.1992) by Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) Act 1992 (c. xviii), s.10

Carriages E+W+S

34 Power for promoters to use tramways with flange-wheeled carriages, &c. E+W+S

The promoters of tramways authorized by special Act and their lessees may use on their tramways carriages with flange wheels or wheels suitable only to run on the rail prescribed by such Act; and, subject to the provisions of such special Act and of this Act, the promoters and their lessees shall have the exclusive use of their tramways for carriages with flange wheels or other wheels suitable only to run on the prescribed rail.

All carriages used on any tramway shall be moved by the power described by the special Act, and where no such power is prescribed, by animal power only.

No carriage used on any tramway which is hereafter authorized by special Act shall extend beyond the outer edge of the wheels of such carriage more than eleven inches on each side.

Licences to use Tramways E+W+S

35 Licences to use the tramway may in certain events be granted to third parties by the Board of Trade. E+W+S

If at any time after any tramway or part of any tramway shall have been for three years opened for public traffic in any district it shall be represented in writing to the Board of Trade by the local authority of such district or by twenty inhabitant ratepayers of such district, or by the road authority of any road in which such tramway or part of a tramway is laid, that the public are deprived of the full benefit of the tramway, the Board of Trade may (if they consider that prima facie, the case is one for inquiry) direct an inquiry by a referee under this Act into the truth of the representation, and if the referee report that the truth of the representation has been proved to his satisfaction, the Board may from time to time grant licences to any company or person to use such tramway in addition to the promoters or their lessees, for such traffic as is authorized by the special Act, with carriages to be approved by the Board, subject to the following provisions, conditions, and restrictions; that is to say,

(1) The licence shall be for any period not less than one year nor more than three years from the date of the licence, but shall be renewable by the Board, if they upon inquiry think fit:

(2) The licence shall be to use the whole of such tramway for the time being opened for public traffic, or such part or parts of such tramway as the Board, having reference to the cause for granting the licence, shall think right:

(3) The licence shall direct the number of carriages which the licensee or licensees shall run upon such tramway, and the mode in which and times at which such carriages shall be run:

(4) The licences shall specify the tolls to be paid to the promoters or to their lessees by the licensee or licensees for the use of the tramways:

(5) The licensee or licensees, and their officers and servants, shall permit one person duly authorized for that purpose by the promoters, or by their lessees, to ride free of charge in or upon each carriage of the licensee or licensees run upon the tramways for the whole or any part of the journey:

(6) The Board of Trade may at any time after the granting of any licence revoke, alter, or modify the same for good cause shown to them.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C14 S. 35 excluded by London Passenger Transport Act 1933 (c. 14), s. 100

36 In default of payment of tolls licensee’s carriages may be detained and sold. E+W+S

If on demand any licensee fails to pay the tolls due in respect of any passengers carried in any carriage it shall be lawful for the promoters or their lessees, to whom the same are payable, to detain and sell such carriage, or if the same shall have been removed from the tramway or premises of such promoters or lessees, to detain and sell any other carriages on such tramway or premises belonging to such licensee, and out of the moneys arising from such sale to retain the tolls payable as aforesaid, and all charges and expenses of such detention and sale, rendering the overplus (if any) of such moneys and such of the carriages as shall remain unsold to the person entitled thereto.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C15 S. 36 excluded by London Passenger Transport Act 1933 (c. 14), s. 100

37 Licensees to give account of passengers carried by them. E+W+S

Every licensee shall on demand give to an officer or servant authorized in that behalf by the promoters or their lessees entitled to be paid tolls by such licensee, an exact account in writing signed by such licensee of the number of passengers conveyed by any and every carriage used by him on the tramways.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16 S. 37 excluded by London Passenger Transport Act 1933 (c. 14), s. 100

38 Licensees not giving account of passengers carried liable to penalty. E+W+S

If any such licensee fails to give such account to such officer or servant demanding the same as aforesaid, or if any such licensee with intent to avoid the payment of any tolls gives a false account, he shall for every such offence forfeit to the promoters, or to their lessees entitled to be paid tolls by such licensee, a sum not exceeding five pounds, and such penalty shall be in addition to any tolls payable in respect of the passengers carried by any such carriage.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C17 S. 38 excluded by London Passenger Transport Act 1933 (c. 14), s. 100

39 Disputes as to amount of toll to be settled by justice. E+W+S

If any dispute arise concerning the amount of the tolls due to the promoters or to their lessees from any licensee, or concerning the charges occasioned by any detention or sale of any carriage under the provisions herein contained, the same shall be settled in England by two justices, and in Scotland by the sheriff or two justices, and it shall be lawful for the promoters or their lessees in the meanwhile to detain the carriage, or (if the case so require) the proceeds of the sale thereof.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C18 S. 39 excluded by London Passenger Transport Act 1933 (c. 14), s. 100

40 Owners of carriages liable for damage done by their servants. E+W+S

Every licensee shall be answerable for any trespass or damage done by his carriages or horses, or by any of the servants or persons employed by him, to or upon the tramway, or to or upon the property of any other person, and, without prejudice to the right of action against the licensee or any other person, every such servant or other person may lawfully be convicted of such trespass or damage in England before two justices, and in Scotland before the sheriff or two justices, either by the confession of the party offending or by the oath of some credible witness; and upon such conviction every such licensee shall pay to the promoters, lessees, or persons injured, as the case may be, the damage, to be ascertained by such justices, so that the same do not exceed fifty pounds.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19 S. 40 excluded by London Passenger Transport Act 1933 (c. 14), s. 100

Discontinuance of Tramways E+W+S

41 Tramways to be removed in certain cases. E+W+S

If at any time after the opening of any tramway in any district for traffic the promoters discontinue the working of such tramway, or of any part thereof, for the space of three calendar months (such discontinuance not being occasioned by circumstances beyond the control of such promoters, for which purpose the want of sufficient funds shall not be considered a circumstance beyond their control), and such discontinuance is proved to the satisfaction of the Board of Trade, the said Board, if they think fit, may by order declare that the powers of the promoters in respect of such tramway or the part thereof so discontinued shall, from the date of such order, be at an end, and thereupon the said powers of the promoters shall cease and determine, unless the same are purchased by the local authority in manner by this Act provided. Where any such order has been made, the road authority of such district may at any time after the expiration of two months from the date of such order under the authority of a certificate to that effect by the Board of Trade, remove the tramway or part of the tramway so discontinued, and the promoters shall pay to the road authority the cost of such removal and of the making good of the road by the road authority, such cost to be certified by the clerk for the time being, or by some other authorized officer of the road authority, whose certificate shall be final and conclusive; and if the promoters fail to pay the amount so certified within one calendar month after delivery to them of such certificate or a copy thereof, the road authority may, without any previous notice to the promoters (but without prejudice to any other remedy which they may have for the recovery of the amount), sell and dispose of the materials of the tramway or part of tramway removed, either by public auction or private sale, and for such sum or sums, and to such person or persons, as the road authority may think fit, and may out of the proceeds of such sale pay and reimburse themselves the amount of the cost certified as aforesaid and of the cost of sale, and the balance (if any) of the proceeds of the sale shall be paid over by the road authority to the promoters.

Insolvency of Promoters E+W+S

42 Proceedings in case of insolvency of promoters. E+W+S

If at any time after the opening of any tramway in any district for traffic, it appears to be the local authority or the road authority of such district that the promoters of such tramway are insolvent, so that they are unable to maintain such tramway, or work the same with advantage to the public, and such road authority makes a representation to that effect to the Board of Trade, the Board of Trade may direct an inquiry by a referee into the truth of the representation, and if the referee shall find that the promoters are so insolvent as aforesaid, the Board of Trade may, by order, declare that the powers of the promoters shall, at the expiration of six calendar months from the making of the order, be at an end, and the powers of the promoters shall cease and determine at the expiration of the said period, unless the same are purchases by the local authority in manner by this Act provided; and thereupon such road authority may remove the tramway in like manner and subject to the same provisions as to the payment of the costs of such removal, and to the same remedy for recovery of such costs, in every respect as in cases of removal under the next preceding section.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C20 S. 42 excluded by London Passenger Transport Act 1933 (c. 14), s. 100

Purchase of Tramways E+W+S

43 Future purchase of undertaking by local authority. E+W+S

Where the promoters of a tramway in any district are not the local authority, the local authority, if, by resolution passed at a special meeting of the members constituting such local authority, they so decide, may within six months after the expiration of a period of twenty-one years from the time when such promoters were empowered to construct such tramway, and within six months after the expiration of every subsequent period of seven years or within three months after any order made by the Board of Trade under either of the two next preceding sections, with the approval of the Board of Trade, by notice in writing require such promoters to sell, and thereupon such promoters shall sell to them their undertaking, or so much of the same as is within such district, upon terms of paying the then value (exclusive of any allowance for past or future profits of the undertaking, or any compensation for compulsory sale, or other consideration whatsoever) of the tramway, and all lands, buildings, works, materials, and plant of the promoters suitable to and used by them for the purposes of their undertaking within such district, such value to be in case of difference determined by an engineer or other fit person nominated as referee by the Board of Trade on the application of either party, and the expenses of the reference to be borne and paid as the referee directs. And when any such sale has been made, all the rights, powers, and authorities of such promoters in respect to the undertaking sold, or where any order has been made by the Board of Trade under either of the next preceding sections, all the rights, powers, and authorities of such promoters previous to the making of such order in respect of the undertaking sold, shall be transferred to, vested in, and may be exercised by the authority to whom the same has been sold, in like manner as if such tramway was constructed by such authority under the powers conferred upon them by a Provisional Order under this Act, and in reference to the same they shall be deemed to be the promoters.

No such resolution shall be valid unless a month’s previous notice of the meeting, and of the purpose thereof, has been given in manner in which notices of meetings of such local authority are usually given, nor unless two thirds of the members constituting such local authority are present and vote at the meeting, and a majority of those present and voting concur in the resolution; provided that if in Scotland the local authority be the road trustees, it shall not be necessary that two thirds of such trustees shall be present at the meeting, but the resolution shall not be valid unless two thirds of the members present vote in favour of such resolution, and unless the said resolution is confirmed in like manner at another meeting called as aforesaid and held not less than three weeks and not more than six weeks thereafter; and it shall be lawful for the chairman of any such meeting, with the consent of a majority of the members present, to adjourn the same from time to time.

The local authority in any district may pay the purchase money and all expenses incurred by them in the purchase of any undertaking under the authority of this section [F6 out of the like rate] and shall have the like powers to borrow [F6 on the security of the same] as if such expenses were incurred in applying for, obtaining, and carrying into effect any Provisional Order obtained by them under this Act.

Where the local rate is limited by law to a certain amount, and is by reason of such limitation insufficient for the payment of such purchase money and expenses, the Board of Trade may by Provisional Order extend the limit of such local rate to such amount as they shall think fit and prescribe for the payment of such purchase money and expenses.

Every such Provisional Order shall be confirmed in like manner as a Provisional Order under the authority of Part I of this Act, and until such confirmation such Provisional Order shall not have any operation.

Subject and according to the preceding provisions of this section two or more local authorities may jointly purchase any undertaking or so much of the same as is within their districts.

Textual Amendments

F6 Words repealed by (E.W. except London), Local Government Act 1933 (c. 51), Sch. 11 Pt. IV and (S.), Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947 (c. 43), Sch. 14

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C21 S. 43 excluded by London Passenger Transport Act 1933 (c. 14), s. 100

44 Power of sale. E+W+S

Where any tramway in any district has been opened for traffic for a period of six months the promoters may, with the consent of the Board of Trade, sell their undertaking to a person, persons, corporation, or company, or to the local authority of such district; and when any such sale has been made all the rights, powers, authorities, obligations, and liabilities of such promoters in respect to the undertaking sold shall be transferred to, vested in, and may be exercised by, and shall attach to the person, persons, corporation, company, or local authority to whom the same has been sold, in like manner as if such tramway was constructed by such person, persons, corporation, company, or local authority under the powers conferred upon them by special Act, and in reference to the same they shall be deemed to be the promoters.

Provided always, that a local authority shall not purchase any undertaking under the provisions of this section unless they shall decide to make such purchase by resolution passed at a special meeting of the members constituting such local authority, which resolution shall be made in the same manner and shall be subject to the same conditions as to validity as resolutions made in regard to the purchase by the next preceding section authorized.

Where any purchase is made by any local authority under the provisions of this section, such local authority [F7 may pay the purchase money and all expenses incurred by them in making such purchase out of the like funds, and for such purposes] shall have all and the like powers and be subject to all the like conditions as if such purchases were made under the authority of the next preceding section.

Textual Amendments

F7 Words repealed by (E.W. except London), Local Government Act 1933 (c. 51), Sch. 11 Pt. IV and (S.), Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947 (c. 43), Sch. 14

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C22 S. 44 excluded by London Passenger Transport Act 1933 (c. 14), s. 100

Tolls E+W+S

45 Tolls, &c. E+W+S

The promoters or lessees of a tramway authorized by special Act may demand and take, in respect of such tramway, tolls and charges not exceeding the sums specified in such special Act, subject and according to the regulations therein specified. A list of all the tolls and charges authorized to be taken shall be exhibited in a conspicuous place inside and outside each of the carriages used upon the tramways.

Byelaws E+W+S

46 Byelaws by local authority. Promoters may make certain regulations. E+W+S

Subject to the provisions of the Special Act authorizing any tramway and this Act,

The local authority of any district in which the same is laid down may, from time to time, make regulations as to the following matters:

• The rate of speed to be observed in travelling upon the tramway:

• The distances at which carriages using the tramway shall be allowed to follow one after the other:

• The stopping of carriages using the tramway:

• The traffic on the road in which the tramway is laid.

• The promoters of any tramway and their lessees may from time to time make regulations,—

• For preventing the commission of any nuisance in or upon any carriage, or in or against any premises belonging to them:

• For regulating the travelling in or upon any carriage belonging to them.

And for better enforcing the observance of all or any of such regulations, it shall be lawful for such local authority and promoters respectively to make byelaws for all or any of the aforesaid purposes, and from time to time repeal or alter such byelaws, and make new byelaws, provided that such byelaws be not repugnant to the laws of that part of the United Kingdom where the same are to have effect.

Notice of the making of any byelaw under the provisions of this Act shall be published by the local authority or the promoters making the same, by advertisement, according to the regulations contained in Part II of the schedule (C.) to this Act annexed; and unless such notice is published in manner aforesaid such byelaw shall be disallowed by the Board of Trade.

No such byelaw shall have any force or effect which shall be disallowed by the Board of Trade within two calendar months after a true copy of such byelaw shall have been laid before the Board; and a true copy of every such proposed byelaw shall, not less than two calendar months before such byelaw shall come into operation, be sent to the Board of Trade, and shall be delivered to the promoters of such tramway if the same was made by the local authority, and to such local authority if made by the promoters.

47 Penalties may be imposed in byelaws. E+W+S

Any such byelaw may impose reasonable penalties for offences against the same, not exceeding [F8 level 1 on the standard scale] for each offence, with or without further penalties for continuing offences, not exceeding for any continuing offence [F9 50p] for every day during which the offence continues; but all byelaws shall be so framed as to allow in every case part only of the maximum penalty being ordered to be paid.

Textual Amendments

F8 Words substituted by (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 40, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G

F9 Words substituted by virtue of Decimal Currency Act 1969 (c. 19), s. 10(1)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C23 S. 47 amended by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46(2)

48 Power to local authority to license drivers, conductors, &c. E+W+S

The local authority shall have the like power of making and enforcing rules and regulations, and of granting licences with respect to all carriages using the tramways, and to all drivers, conductors, and other persons having charge of or using the same, and to the standings for the same, as they are for the time being entitled to make, enforce, and grant with respect to hackney carriages, and the drivers and other persons having the charge thereof, and to the standings for the same in the streets and district of or under the control of the local authority: Provided always, that in any district in which any of the powers aforesaid in relation to hackney carriages and the matters aforesaid in connexion therewith are vested in any authority other than the local authority of such district, such authority shall have and may exercise the powers by this section conferred upon the local authority.

Offences E+W+S

49 Penalty for obstruction of promoters in laying out tramway. E+W+S

If any person wilfully obstructs any person acting under the authority of any promoters in the lawful exercise of their powers in setting out or making, forming, laying down, repairing, or renewing a tramway, or defaces or destroys any mark made for the purposes of setting out the line of tramway, or damages or destroys any property of any promoters, lessees, or licensees, he shall for every such offence be liable to a penalty not exceeding [F10 level 1 on the standard scale] .

Textual Amendments

F10 Words substituted by (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), s. 289G

50 Penalties for wilful injury or obstruction to tramways &c. E+W+S

If any person, without lawful excuse (the proof whereof shall lie on him), wilfully does any of the following things; (namely,)

• Interferes with, removes, or alters any part of a tramway or of the works connected therewith;

• Places or throws any stones, dirt, wood, refuse, or other material on any part of a tramway;

• Does or causes to be done anything in such manner as to obstruct any carriage using a tramway, or to endanger the lives of persons therein or thereon;

Or knowingly aids or assists in the doing of any such thing; he shall for every such offence be liable (in addition to any proceedings by way of indictment or otherwise to which he may be subject) to a penalty not exceeding [F11 level 1 on the standard scale] .

Textual Amendments

F11 Words substituted by (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), s. 289G

51 Penalty on passengers practising frauds on the promoters. E+W+S

If any person travelling or having travelled in any carriage on any tramway avoids or attempts to avoid payment of his fare, or if any person having paid his fare for a certain distance knowingly and wilfully proceeds in any such carriage beyond such distance, and does not pay the additional fare for the additional distance, or attempts to avoid payment thereof, or if any person knowingly and wilfully refuses or neglects on arriving at the point to which he has paid his fare to quit such carriage, every such person shall, for every such offence, be liable to a penalty not exceeding [F12 level 1 on the standard scale] .

Textual Amendments

F12 Words substituted by (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G

52 Transient offenders. E+W+S

It shall be lawful for any officer or servant of the promoters or lessees of any tramway, and all persons called by him to his assistance, to seize and detain any person discovered either in or after committing or attempting to commit any such offence as in the next preceding section is mentioned, and whose name or residence is unknown to such officer or servant, until such person can be conveniently taken before a justice, or until he be otherwise discharged by due course of law.

53 Penalty for bringing dangerous goods on the tramway. E+W+S

No person shall be entitled to carry or to require to be carried on any tramway any goods which may be of a dangerous nature; and if any person send by any tramway any such goods without distinctly marking their nature on the outside of the package containing the same, or otherwise giving notice in writing to the book-keeper or other servant with whom the same are left at the time of such sending, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding [F13 level 2 on the standard scale] for every such offence; and it shall be lawful for such promoters or lessees to refuse to take any parcel that they may suspect to contain goods of a dangerous nature, or require the same to be opened to ascertain the fact.

Textual Amendments

F13 Words substituted by (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), s. 289G

54 Penalty for persons using tramways with carriages with flange wheels, &c. E+W+S

If any person (except under a lease from or by agreement with the promoters, or under licence from the Board of Trade, as by this Act provided,) uses a tramway or any part thereof with carriages having flange wheels or other wheels suitable only to run on the rail of such tramway, such person shall for every such offence be liable to a penalty not exceeding [F14 level 2 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F14 Words substituted by (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), s. 289G

Miscellaneous E+W+S

55 Promoters or lessees to be responsible for all damages. E+W+S

The promoters or lessees, as the case may be, shall be answerable for all accident, damages, and injuries happening through their act or default, or through the Act or default of any person in their employment by reason or in consequence of any of their works or carriages, and shall save harmless all road and other authorities, companies, or bodies, collectively and individually, and their officers and servants, from all damages and costs in respect of such accidents, damages, and injuries.

56 Recovery of tolls, penalties, &c. E+W+S

All tolls, penalties, and charges under this Act, or under any byelaw made in pursuance of this Act, may be recovered and enforced as follows; in England before two justices of the peace in manner directed by the Summary Jurisdiction (England) Acts, and in Scotland before the sheriff or two justices as penalties under the M7 Railways Clauses Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1845.

Marginal Citations

M7 1845 c. 33

57 Right of user only. E+W+S

Notwithstanding anything in this Act contained the promoters of any tramway shall not acquire or be deemed to acquire any right other than that of user of any road along or across which they lay any tramway . . . F15

Textual Amendments

F15 Words repealed by Statute Law Revision (No. 2) Act 1893 (c. 54)

F16 58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F16 S. 58 repealed by Statute Law Revision (No. 2) Act 1893 (c. 54)

59 Reservation of rights of owners, &c. of mines. E+W+S

Nothing in this Act shall limit or interfere with the rights of any owner, lessee, or occupier of any mines or minerals lying under or adjacent to any road along or across which any tramway shall be laid to work such mines and minerals; nor shall any such owner, lessee, or occupier be liable to make good or pay compensation for any damage which may be occasioned to such tramway by the working in the usual and ordinary course of their mines or minerals.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C24 S. 59 excluded by Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act 1957 (c. 59), s. 18(2)

60 Reserving powers of street authorities to widen, &c. roads. E+W+S

Nothing in this Act shall take away or affect any power which any road authority, or the owners, commissioners, undertakers, or lessees of any railway, tramway, or inland navigation, may have by law to widen, alter, divert, or improve any road, railway, tramway, or inland navigation.

61 Power for local or police authorities to regulate traffic in roads. E+W+S

Nothing in this Act shall limit the powers of the local authority or police in any district to regulate the passage of any traffic along or across any road along or across which any tramways are laid down, and such authority or police may exercise their authority as well on as off the tramway, and with respect as well to the traffic of the promoters or of lessees as to the traffic of other persons.

62 Reservation of right of public to use roads. E+W+S

Nothing in this Act or in any byelaws made under this Act shall take away or abridge the right of the public to pass along or across every or any part of any road along or across which any tramway is laid, whether on or off the tramway, with carriages not having flange wheels or wheels suitable only to run on the rail of the tramway.

63 Regulating inquiries before referee appointed by the Board of Trade. E+W+S

Every inquiry which by this Act the Board of Trade are empowered to make or direct shall be made in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) The inquiry shall be held in public before an officer to be appointed in that behalf by the Board, herein-after called the referee, and whose appointment shall be by writing, which shall specify all the matters referred to him:

(2) Ten days notice at the least shall be given by the referee to the parties upon whose representation the Board of Trade shall have directed the inquiry, of the time and place at which the inquiry is to be commenced:

(3) The inquiry shall be commenced at the time and place so appointed, and the referee may adjourn the inquiry from time to time as may be necessary to such time and place as he may think fit:

(4) The referee by summons shall, on the application of any party interested in the inquiry, require the attendance before himself, at a place and time to be mentioned in the summons, of any person to be examined as a witness before him, and every person summoned shall attend the referee, and answer all questions touching the matter to be inquired into, and any person who wilfully disobeys any such summons or refuses to answer any question put to him by such referee for the purposes of the said inquiry shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding [F17 level 1 on the standard scale] : Provided always, that no person shall be required to attend in obedience to any such summons unless the reasonable charges of his attendance shall have been paid or tendered to him, and no person shall be required in any case in obedience to any such summons to travel more than ten miles from his place of abode:

(5) The referee may and shall administer an oath, or an affirmation where an affirmation in lieu of an oath would be admitted in a court of justice, to any person tendered or summoned as a witness on the inquiry:

(6) Any person who upon oath or affirmation wilfully gives false evidence before the referee shall be deemed guilty of perjury:

(7) The referee shall make his report to the Board of Trade in writing, and shall deliver copies of the report upon request to all or any of the parties to the inquiry.

Textual Amendments

F17 Words substituted by (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), s. 289G

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25 S. 63 excluded by London Passenger Transport Act 1933 (c. 14), s. 100

64 Rules for carrying Act into effect. E+W+S

The Board of Trade may from time to time make, and, when made, may rescind, annul, or add to, rules with respect to the following matters:

(1) The proceedings to be had before the Board under this Act:

(2) The payment of money or lodgement of securities by way of deposits, the repayment and forfeiture of the same, the investment of the same, the amount and payment of interest or dividends from time to time accruing due on such deposits:

(3) The plans and sections of any works to be deposited by promoters under this Act:

(4) As to any other matter or thing in respect of which it may be expedient to make rules for the purpose of carrying this Act into execution.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F18 .

Any rules made in pursuance of this section shall be laid before Parliament . . . F18

Textual Amendments

F18 Words repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1986 (c. 12), s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. XII

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C26 S. 64(2) amended by Administration of Justice Act 1965 (c. 2), Sch. 1

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE A E+W+S

Part I[Section 3.] E+W+S

Districts of Local Authorities.	Description of Local Authority of District set opposite its Name.	The Local Rate.
England and Wales.
The city of London and the liberties thereof.	The mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London.	The consolidated sewers rate.
The metropolis (1)	The Metropolitan Board of Works.	The metropolitan consolidated rate.
Boroughs (2)	The mayor, aldermen, and burgesses acting by the council.	The borough fund or other property applicable to the purposes of a borough rate, or the borough rate.
Any place not included in the above descriptions, and under the jurisdiction of commissioners, trustees, or other persons intrusted by any local Act with powers of improving, cleansing, or paving any town.	The commissioners, trustees, or other persons intrusted by the local Act with powers of improving, cleansing, or paving the town.	Any rate leviable by such commissioners, trustees, or other persons, or other funds applicable by them to the purposes of improving, cleansing, or paving the town.
Any place not included in the above descriptions, and within the jurisdiction of local board constituted in pursuance of the Public Health Act 1848, and the Local Government Act 1858, or one of such Acts.	The local board	General district rate.

Notes

(1) “The metropolis” shall include all parishes and places in which the Metropolitan Board of Works; have power to levy a main drainage rate, except the city of London and the liberties thereof.

(2) “Borough” shall mean any place for the time being subject to the M8 Municipal Corporations Act 1835.

Marginal Citations

M8 1835 c. 76.

Districts of Local Authorities.	Description of Local Authority of District set opposite its Name.	The Local Rate.
Any place or parish not within the above descriptions, and in which a rate is levied for the maintenance of the poor.	The vestry, select vestry, or other body of persons acting by virtue of any Act of Parliament, prescription, custom, or otherwise, as or instead of a vestry or select vestry.	The poor rate.
Scotland.
Places within the jurisdiction of any town council, and not subject to the separate jurisdiction of police commissioners or trustees.	The town council.	The prison assessment or police assessment, as the local authorities shall resolve.
In places within the jurisdiction of police commissioners or trustees exercising the functions of police commissioners under any general or local Act.	The police commissioners or trustees.
In any parish or part thereof over which the jurisdiction of a town council or of police commissioners or trustees exercising the functions of police commissioners does not extend.	The road trustees having the management of any road on which a tramway is proposed to be constructed.	The tolls, duties, and assessments leviable by the road trustees.

Part II[Section 3.] E+W+S

Districts of Road Authorities.	Description of Road Authority of Districts set opposite its Name.
Parishes within the metropolis (1.) mentioned in schedule (A.) to the Metropolis Management Act 1855.	The vestries appointed for the purposes of the Metropolis Management Act 1855.
Districts within the metropolis (1.) formed by the union of the parishes mentioned in schedule (B.) to the M9 Metropolis Management Act 1855.	The board of works for the district appointed for the purpose of the Metropolis Management Act 1855.

Marginal Citations

M9 1855 c. 120.

Note. (1.)—The term “metropolis” has in this Part the same meaning as in Part I. of this schedule.

Part III[Section 4.] E+W+S

Approval of Application by Local Authority for a Provisional Order E+W+S

The approval of any intended application for a Provisional Order by a local authority shall be in manner following; that is to say,

A resolution approving of the intention to make such application shall be passed at a special meeting of the members constituting such local authority.

Such special meeting shall not be held unless a month’s previous notice of the same, and of the purpose thereof, has been given in manner in which notices of meetings of such local authority are usually given.

Such resolution shall not be passed unless two-thirds of the members constituting such local authority are present and vote at such special meeting and a majority of those present and voting concur in the resolution; provided that if in Scotland the local authority be the road trustees, it shall not be necessary that two-thirds of such trustees shall be present at the meeting, but the resolution shall not be valid unless two-thirds of the members present vote in favour of such resolution, and unless the said resolution is confirmed in like manner at another meeting called as aforesaid and held not less than three weeks and not more than six weeks thereafter. Where any such resolution relating to the metropolis as the same is defined in Part I. of this schedule, or to any district in Scotland of which road trustees are the local authority, has been passed in manner aforesaid, the intended application to which such resolution relates shall be deemed to be approved.

SCHEDULE B E+W+S Provisional Orders

Part I[Section 6.] E+W+S

Advertisement in October or November of intended application E+W+S

(1) Every advertisement is to contain the following particulars:

1. The objects of the intended application.

2. A general description of the nature of the proposed works, if any.

3. The names of the townlands, parishes, townships, and extra-parochial places in which the proposed works, if any, will be made.

4. The times and places at which the deposit under Part II. of this schedule will be made.

5. An office, either in London or at the place to which the intended application relates, at which printed copies of the draft Provisional Order, when deposited, and of the Provisional Order, when made, will be obtainable as herein-after provided.

(2) The whole notice is to be included in one advertisement, which is to be headed with a short title descriptive of the undertaking.

(3) The advertisement is to be inserted once at least in each of two successive weeks in some one and the same newspaper published in the district affected by the proposed undertaking, where the proposed works (if any) will be made; or if there be no such newspaper, then in some one and the same newspaper published in the county in which every such district, or some part thereof, is situate; or if there be none, then in some one and the same newspaper published in some adjoining or neighbouring county.

(4) The advertisement is also, in every case, to be inserted once at least in the London or Edinburgh Gazette, accordingly as the district is situate in England or Scotland.

Part II[Section 6.] E+W+S

Deposit on or before 30th November E+W+S

(1) The promoters are to deposit—

1. A copy of the advertisement published by them.

2. A proper plan and section of the proposed works, if any such plan and section to be prepared according to such regulations as may from time to time be made by the Board of Trade in that behalf.

(2) The documents aforesaid are to be deposited for public inspection—

In England, in the office of the clerk of the peace for every county, riding, or division, and of the parish clerk of every parish and the office of the local authority of every district in or through which any such undertaking is proposed to be made; in Scotland, in the office of the principal sheriff clerk for every county, district, or division which will be affected by the proposed undertaking, or in which any proposed new work will be made.

(3) The documents aforesaid are also to be deposited at the office of the Board of Trade.

Part III[Section 6.] E+W+S

Deposit on or before 23rd December E+W+S

(1) The promoters are to deposit at the office of the Board of Trade—

1. A memorial signed by the promoters, headed with a short title descriptive of the undertaking (corresponding with that at the head of the advertisement), addressed to the Board of Trade, and praying for a Provisional Order.

2. A printed draft of the Provisional Order as proposed by the promoters, with any schedule referred to therein.

3. An estimate of the expense of the proposed works, if any, signed by the persons making the same.

(2) They are also to deposit a sufficient number of such printed copies at the office named in that behalf in the advertisement; such copies to be there furnished to all persons applying for them at the price of not more than one shilling each.

(3) The memorial of the promoters (to be written on foolscap paper, bookwise, with quarter margin) is to be in the following form, with such variations as circumstances require:

Short title of undertaking. E+W+S

To the Board of Trade,

The memorial of the promoters of [short title of undertaking]:

Showeth as follows:

1. Your memorialists have published, in accordance with the requirements of the Tramways Act 1870, the following advertisement:

Here advertisement to be set out verbatim. E+W+S

2. Your memorialists have also deposited in accordance with the requirements of the said Act, copies of the said advertisement and [here state deposit of the several matters required by Act.]

Your memorialists, therefore pray that a Provision Order may be made in the terms of the draft proposed by your memorialists, or in such other terms as may seem meet.

A.B.

C.D.

Promoters.

Part IV[Section 13.] E+W+S

Deposit and advertisement of Provisional Order when made E+W+S

(1) The promoters are to deposit printed copies of the Provisional Order, when settled and made, for public inspection in the offices of clerks of the peace and sheriff clerks, where the documents required to be deposited by them under Part II of this schedule were deposited.

(2) They are also to deposit a sufficient number of such printed copies at the office named in that behalf in the advertisement, such copies to be there furnished to all persons applying for them at the price of not more than each.

(3) They are also to publish the Provisional Order as an advertisement once in the local newspaper in which the original advertisement of the intended application was published, or in case the same shall no longer be published, in some other newspaper published in the district.

SCHEDULE C E+W+S

Part I[Section 19.] E+W+S

Notice and Deposit of Lease by Local Authority E+W+S

One month before any lease is submitted to the Board of Trade, notice of the intention to make such lease shall be given by advertisement.

(1) Every advertisement is to contain—

1. The term of the lease.

2. The rent reserved.

3. A general description of the covenants and conditions contained therein.

4. The place where the same is deposited for public inspection.

(2) The advertisement is to be inserted once at least in each of two successive weeks in some one and the same newspaper published in the district affected by the proposed lease; or if there be no such newspaper, then in some one and the same newspaper published in the county in which such district, or some part thereof, is situate; or if there be none, then in some one and the same newspaper published in some adjoining or neighbouring county.

(3) The advertisement is also, in every case, to be inserted once at least in the London or Edinburgh Gazette, accordingly as the district to which it relates is situate in England or Scotland.

Deposit E+W+S

A copy of such lease shall be deposited for public inspection during office hours at the office of the local authority or at some other convenient place within the district to which such lease relates.

Part II[Section 46.] E+W+S

Notice of Byelaws E+W+S

Within one month after the making of any byelaw notice of the making of the same, and a copy of such byelaw, shall be published by advertisement in manner following:—

(1) The advertisement is to be inserted once at least in each of two successive weeks in some one and the same newspaper published in the district affected by such byelaw; or if there be no such newspaper, then in some one and the same newspaper published in the county in which such district, or some part thereof, is situate; or if there be none, then in some one and the same newspaper published in some adjoining or neighbouring county.

(2) The advertisement is also, in every case, to be inserted once at least in the London or Edinburgh Gazette, accordingly as the district to which it relates is situate in England or Scotland.