45.—(1) Where an obstruction or hazard is caused in the tunnels areas by a load falling from a motor vehicle and the person in charge of the motor vehicle fails to remove it, an authorised person may take all reasonable steps to remove the load.
(2) An authorised person—
(a)may return a load which the authorised person has removed immediately to the person in charge of the motor vehicle from which it has fallen; or
(b)where a return of the load which the authorised person has removed to the person in charge of the motor vehicle from which it has fallen is not practicable or appropriate, must deliver the load to TfL or to a person authorised by TfL to keep loads so removed (“the custodian” in either case).
(3) The custodian must take reasonable steps to ascertain the identity of the owner of the load.
(4) Where the custodian has been unable to ascertain contact details for the owner of the load, the custodian may dispose of or sell the load as the custodian thinks fit.
(5) Where the custodian has been able to ascertain contact details for the owner of the load, the custodian must notify such person that—
(a)the load is in the possession of the custodian;
(b)the owner must take possession of the load within five weeks of the date of the notice;
(c)the owner may only take possession of the load on the payment of the custodian’s expenses in removing and storing the load; and
(d)if the owner fails to act in accordance with the requirements in the notice, title in the load vests in the custodian.
(6) The custodian may recover any expenses reasonably incurred in the removal and storage of a load from the owner of the load.
(7) Unless the owner of the load acts in accordance with the notice requirements, title in the load vests in the custodian on the date specified in the notice.
(8) Where a load consists of, or includes, liquids or semi-liquids or items which are loose or an aggregate, or noxious, perishable or otherwise hazardous or difficult to collect-up or remove, and the driver of the motor vehicle fails to remove it or the fallen load poses a hazard, paragraphs (2) to (7) do not apply and an authorised person or custodian (as the case may be) may, as it sees fit, immediately wash, clean or clear away or remove the fallen load or otherwise dispose of it or sell it.