Power to survey and investigate land
18.—(1) The Executive may, in relation to any land within the Order limits, for the purposes of this Order—
(a)survey or investigate the land;
(b)without limitation on the scope of sub-paragraph (a), make trial holes in such positions as the Executive thinks fit on the land to investigate the nature of the surface layer and subsoil and remove soil samples;
(c)without limitation on the scope of sub-paragraph (a), carry out archaeological investigations on the land;
(d)take steps to protect or remove any flora or fauna on the land where the flora or fauna may be affected by the carrying out of the Order works;
(e)place on, leave on and remove from the land apparatus for use in connection with the exercise of any powers conferred by sub-paragraphs (a) to (d); and
(f)enter on the land for the purpose of exercising the powers conferred by sub-paragraphs (a) to (e).
(2) No land may be entered or equipment placed or left on or removed from the land under paragraph (1), unless at least 7 days’ notice has been served on every owner and occupier of the land.
(3) Any person entering land under this article on behalf of the Executive—
(a)must, if so required, before or after entering the land produce written evidence of authority to do so; and
(b)may take onto land such vehicles and equipment as are necessary for the purpose of exercising any of the powers conferred by paragraph (1).
(4) No trial hole may be made under this article in a carriageway or footway without the consent of the highway authority, but such consent must not be unreasonably withheld.
(5) The Executive must pay compensation for any damage occasioned, by the exercise of the powers conferred by this article, to the owners and occupiers of the land, such compensation to be determined, in case of dispute, under Part 1 (determination of questions of disputed compensation) of the 1961 Act.