8.—(1) If—
(a)during the construction of a tidal work or within 10 years after the completion of that work and wholly or partly in consequence of its construction; or
(b)during the exercise of the powers conferred by article 8 (power to dredge) of this Order or within 10 years after and wholly or partly in consequence of the exercise of those powers,
there is caused or created an accumulation or erosion which results or is likely to result in interference with navigation or damage to the harbour property, the Agency must, if so requested by A.B. Ports acting reasonably and having regard in particular to its and the Agency’s statutory functions, remedy such accumulation or erosion to the extent attributable to such construction or exercise of powers in the manner specified in sub-paragraph (3) and, if it refuses or fails to do so, A.B. Ports may itself cause the work to be done and may recover the reasonable cost of doing so from the Agency.
(2) If any such accumulation or erosion in consequence of such construction or exercise of the powers conferred under article 8 arises within the said period of 10 years and is remedied in accordance with sub-paragraph (1), any recurrence of such accumulation or erosion must, from time to time, if reasonably so required to do by A.B. Ports after notice in writing to it from the Agency and having regard in particular to its and the Agency’s statutory functions, be so remedied by the Agency during the said period of 10 years and at any time thereafter, save that the Agency’s obligation under this paragraph shall cease if, following the remedying of any accumulation or erosion, a period of 10 years elapses without any further accumulation or erosion being caused or created in consequence of such construction or exercise.
(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) and (2) above—
(a)in the case of an accumulation, the remedy shall be its removal; and
(b)in the case of erosion, the remedy shall be the carrying out of such reconstruction works and other protective works or measures as may be necessary.
(4) In the event that any surveys, inspection, tests or sampling establish that such accumulation or erosion may have been caused in any event by factors other than the construction of a tidal work or the exercise of the powers conferred by article 8, the Agency is liable to remedy such accumulation or erosion only to the extent that the same is attributable to such construction or exercise.
(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) the date of completion of a work is the date on which it is brought into use.