The Blackpool Tramway (Blackpool North Extension) Order 2017

PART 4 OPERATION OF TRAM SYSTEM

Power to operate and use tram system

37.—(1) The promoter may operate and use the authorised tram system and the other authorised works as a system, or part of a system, of transport for the carriage of passengers and goods.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4) and article 46 (powers of disposal, agreements for operation, etc.), the promoter, for the purpose of operating the tram system, has the exclusive right—

(a) to use the rails, foundations, cables, masts, overhead wires and other apparatus used for the operation of the tram system; and

(b) to occupy any part of the street in which that apparatus is situated.

(3) Any person who, without the consent of the promoter or other reasonable excuse, uses the apparatus mentioned in paragraph (2) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

(4) Nothing in this article restricts the exercise of any public right of way over any part of a street in which apparatus is situated in pursuance of paragraph (2) except to the extent that the exercise of the right is constrained by the presence of the apparatus.

Power to charge fares

38.  The promoter may demand, take and recover or waive such charges for carrying passengers or goods on the authorised tram system, or for any other services or facilities provided in connection with the operation of the authorised tram system, as it thinks fit.

Removal of obstructions

39.—(1) If any obstruction is caused to tramcars using the authorised tram system by a vehicle waiting, loading, unloading or breaking down on any part of the tram system, the person in charge of the vehicle must remove it immediately; and if that person fails to do so the promoter may take all reasonable steps to remove the obstruction and may recover the expenses reasonably incurred in doing so from—

(a) any person by whom the vehicle was put or left so as to become an obstruction to tramcars; or

(b) any person who was the owner of the vehicle at that time unless that person shows that that person was not, at that time, concerned in or aware of the vehicle being so put or left.

(2) If any obstruction is caused to tramcars using the authorised tram system by a load falling on the tram system from a vehicle, the person in charge of the vehicle must immediately remove the load from the tram system; and if that person fails to do so, the promoter may take all reasonable steps to remove the load and may recover the expenses reasonably incurred in doing so from—

(a) any person who was in charge of the vehicle at the time when the load fell from it; or

(b) any person who was the owner of the vehicle at that time unless the person shows that, at that time, the person was not concerned in, or aware of, the vehicle being in the place at which the load fell from it.

(3) For the purposes of this article the owner of a vehicle is taken to be the person by whom the vehicle is kept; and in determining for those purposes who was the owner of the vehicle at any time, it is presumed (unless the contrary appears) that the owner was the person in whose name the vehicle was at that time registered under the Vehicles Excise and Registration Act 1994(1).

Traffic signs

40.—(1) The promoter may, for the purposes of, or in connection with the operation of, the authorised tram system, place or maintain traffic signs on any street in which the authorised tram system is laid or which gives access to such a street.

(2) The promoter—

(a) must consult with the traffic authority as to the placing of signs; and

(b) unless the traffic authority is unwilling to do so and subject to any directions given under section 65 (powers and duties of highway authorities as to placing of traffic signs) of the 1984 Act, must enter into arrangements with the traffic authority for the signs to be placed and maintained by the traffic authority.

(3) Any power conferred by section 65 of the 1984 Act to give directions to a traffic authority or local traffic authority as to traffic signs includes a power to give directions to the promoter as to traffic signs under this article; and, accordingly, the powers conferred by paragraph (1) is exercisable subject to and in conformity with any directions given under that section.

(4) A traffic authority or other authority having power under or by virtue of the 1984 Act to place and maintain, or cause to be placed and maintained, traffic signs on any street in which the authorised tram system is laid or which gives access to such a street must consult with the promoter as to the placing of any traffic sign which would affect the operation of the authorised tram system.

(5) Tramcars are taken to be public service vehicles for the purposes of section 122(2)(c) (exercise of functions by local authorities) of the 1984 Act.

(6) Expressions used in this article and in the 1984 Act have the same meaning in this article as in that Act.

Traffic regulation

41.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this article the promoter may, for the purposes of the authorised tram system, at any time prior to the expiry of 12 months from the opening of the system for public use—

(a) permit, prohibit or restrict the stopping, waiting, loading or unloading of vehicles in the manner specified in Part 1 of Schedule 6 (traffic regulation) on those roads specified in column (2) and along the lengths and between the points specified in column (3) of that Part of that Schedule;

(b) authorise the use as a parking place in the manner specified in Part 2 of Schedule 6 of those roads specified in column (2) and along the lengths, between the points and to the extent specified in column (3) of that Part of that Schedule;

(c) make provision as to the direction of vehicular traffic in the manner specified in Part 3 of Schedule 6 on the roads specified in column (2) and along the lengths, between the points and as respects direction to the extent specified in column (3) of that Part of that Schedule; and

(d) permit or prohibit vehicular access in the manner specified in Part 4 of Schedule 6 to those roads specified in column (2) and along the lengths, between the points and as respects direction to the extent specified in column (3) of that Part of that Schedule.

(2) Without limitation on the scope of the specific powers conferred by paragraph (1) but subject to the provisions of this article the promoter may, in so far as may be necessary or expedient for the purposes of, in connection with, or in consequence of the construction, maintenance or operation of the authorised tram system, at any time prior to the expiry of 12 months from the opening of that system for public use—

(a) revoke, amend or suspend in whole or in part any order made, or having effect as if made, under the 1984 Act;

(b) permit, prohibit or restrict the stopping, waiting, loading or unloading of vehicles on any road;

(c) authorise the use as a parking place of any road;

(d) make provision as to the direction of vehicular traffic on any road; and

(e) permit or prohibit vehicular access to any road,

either at all times or at times, on days or during such periods as may be specified by the promoter.

(3) The promoter must not exercise the powers of paragraphs (1) and (2) unless it has—

(a) given not less than—

(i) 12 weeks’ notice in writing of its intention so to do in the case of a prohibition, restriction or other provision intended to have effect permanently; or

(ii) 4 weeks’ notice in writing of its intention so to do in the case of a prohibition, restriction or other provision intended to have effect temporarily;

to the chief officer of police; and

(b) advertised its intention in such manner as it considers appropriate.

(4) Any prohibition, restriction or other provision made by the promoter under paragraph (1) or (2) has effect as if duly made by, as the case may be—

(a) the traffic authority in whose area the road is situated as a traffic regulation order under the 1984 Act; or

(b) the local authority in whose area the road is situated as an order under section 32(2) (power of local authorities to provide parking spaces) of the 1984 Act,

and the instrument by which it is effected may specify savings and exemptions (in addition to those mentioned in Schedule 6) to which the prohibition, restriction or other provision is subject.

(5) Any prohibition, restriction or other provision made under this article may be suspended, varied or revoked by the promoter from time to time by subsequent exercise of the powers of paragraph (2) within a period of 24 months from the opening of the authorised tram system for use.

(6) Before exercising the powers of paragraph (2) of this article the promoter must consult such persons as it considers necessary and appropriate and must take into consideration any representations made to it by any such person.

(7) Expressions used in this article and in the 1984 Act has the same meaning in this article as in that Act.

Power to lop trees overhanging tram system

42.—(1) The promoter may fell or lop any tree or shrub near any part of the authorised tram system, or cut back its roots, if it reasonably believes it to be necessary to do so to prevent the tree or shrub—

(a) from obstructing or interfering with the construction, maintenance or operation of the tram system or any apparatus used for the purposes of the tram system; or

(b) from constituting a danger to passengers or other persons using the tram system.

(2) In exercising the powers conferred by paragraph (1), the promoter must not cause unnecessary damage to any tree or shrub and must pay compensation to any person for any loss or damage arising from the exercise of those powers.

(3) Nothing in this article affects the application of any tree preservation order made under section 198 (power to make tree preservation orders) of the 1990 Act.

(4) Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under paragraph (2), or as to the amount of the compensation, is to be determined under Part 1 (determination of questions of disputed compensation) of the 1961 Act.

Trespass on tramroad

43.—(1) Any person who—

(a) trespasses on any authorised tramroad; or

(b) trespasses upon any land of the promoter in dangerous proximity to any authorised tramroad or to any electrical or other apparatus used for or in connection with the operation of the authorised tramroad,

is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(2) No person is to be convicted of an offence under this article unless it is shown that a notice warning the public not to trespass upon the tramroad was clearly exhibited and maintained at the stop on the authorised tram system nearest the place where the offence is alleged to have been committed.

Power to make byelaws

44.—(1) The promoter may make byelaws regulating the use and operation of, and travel on, the authorised tram system, the maintenance of order on the authorised tram system and on tram system premises or other facilities provided in connection with the authorised tram system and the conduct of all persons, including employees of the promoter, while on the authorised tram system or on tram system premises.

(2) Without limitation on the scope of paragraph (1), byelaws under this article may make provision—

(a) with respect to tickets issued for travel on the authorised tram system, the payment of fares and charges and the evasion of payment of fares and charges;

(b) with respect to interference with, or obstruction of, the operation of the authorised tram system or other facilities provided in connection with the authorised tram system;

(c) with respect to access to and the carriage, use or consumption of anything on tram system premises;

(d) with respect to the prevention of nuisances on tram system premises;

(e) for regulating the passage of bicycles and other vehicles on ways and other places intended for the use of persons on foot within tram system premises;

(f) for the safe custody and re-delivery or disposal of any property accidentally left on tram system premises and for fixing the charges made in respect of any such property;

(g) for prohibiting or restricting the placing or leaving of any vehicle without its driver on any part of the authorised tram system or on tram system premises; and

(h) subject to article 18(5)(a), for regulating (but not requiring) the maintenance of the facades of buildings to which any equipment has been attached pursuant to article 18 (attachment of equipment to buildings) or which front onto the authorised tram system.

(3) In paragraphs (1) and (2) references to “tram system premises” are references to premises of the promoter used for or in connection with the operation of the authorised tram system including any depot or building and any tramcar.

(4) Byelaws under this article may provide for it to be an offence for a person to contravene, or to fail to comply with, a provision of the byelaws and for such a person to be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(5) Without affecting the taking of proceedings for an offence included in byelaws by virtue of paragraph (4), if the contravention of, or failure to comply with, any byelaw under this article is attended with danger or annoyance to the public, or hindrance to the promoter in the operation of the tram system, the promoter may summarily take action to obviate or remove the danger, annoyance or hindrance.

(6) If, in accordance with an agreement entered into under article 46 (powers of disposal, agreements for operation, etc.), the power to make byelaws under this article is being exercised by any person other than Blackpool Borough Council, before making any byelaws that person must consult Blackpool Borough Council on the proposed byelaws.

(7) Byelaws under this article do not come into operation until they have been confirmed by the Secretary of State.

(8) At least 28 days before applying for any byelaws to be confirmed under this article, the promoter must publish in such manner as may be approved by the Secretary of State a notice of its intention to apply for the byelaws to be confirmed and of the place at which and the time during which a copy of the byelaws will be open to public inspection; and any person affected by any of the byelaws may make representations on them to the Secretary of State within a period specified in the notice, being a period of not less than 28 days.

(9) For at least 28 days before an application is made under this article for byelaws to be confirmed, a copy of the byelaws must be kept at the principal office of the promoter and must at all reasonable hours be open to public inspection without payment.

(10) The promoter must, at the request of any person, supply that person with a copy of any such byelaws on payment of such reasonable sum as the promoter may determine.

(11) The Secretary of State may confirm with or without modification, or may refuse to confirm, any of the byelaws submitted under this article for confirmation and, as regards any byelaws so confirmed, may fix a date on which the byelaws come into operation; and if no date is so fixed the byelaws come into operation after the expiry of 28 days after the date on which they were confirmed.

(12) The Secretary of State may charge the promoter such fees in respect of any byelaws submitted for confirmation under this article as the Secretary of State may consider appropriate for the purpose of defraying any administrative expenses incurred by the Secretary of State in connection with the confirmation of those byelaws.

(13) A copy of the byelaws when confirmed must be printed and deposited at the principal office of the promoter and must at all reasonable hours be open to public inspection without payment, and the promoter must, at the request of any person, supply that person with a copy of any such byelaws on payment of such reasonable sum as the promoter may determine.

(14) The production of a printed copy of byelaws confirmed under this article on which is endorsed a certificate purporting to be signed by a person duly authorised by the promoter stating—

(a) that the byelaws were made by the promoter;

(b) that the copy is a true copy of the byelaws;

(c) that on a specified date the byelaws were confirmed by the Secretary of State; and

(d) the date when the byelaws came into operation,

is rebuttable evidence of the facts stated in the certificate.

Power to contract for police services

45.—(1) The promoter may enter into any agreement with a local policing body and its chief officer for the police force maintained by that body to provide policing services for or in connection with the authorised tram system, including at any tram system premises.

(2) Any such agreement may provide for—

(a) the promoter to make such payment or other consideration for those policing services as the parties may agree; and

(b) such incidental and ancillary matters as the parties consider appropriate.

(3) In this article—

(a) “chief officer” means a chief officer of police or the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police Force;

(b) “local policing body” means a local policing body within the meaning of that Act or the British Transport Police Authority within the meaning of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003(3); and

(c) “tram system premises” means any premises of the promoter used for or in connection with the operation of the authorised tram system, including the operations and control centre, any other building and any tramcar.

Powers of disposal, agreements for operation, etc.

46.—(1) The promoter may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, sell, lease, charge or otherwise dispose of, on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit, the whole or any part of the authorised works and any land held in connection with them or the right to operate the authorised works under this Order.

(2) Without limitation on the scope of paragraph (1), the promoter may enter into and carry into effect agreements with respect to any of the following matters, namely, the construction, maintenance, use and operation of the authorised works, or any part or parts of them, by any other person, and other matters incidental or subsidiary to or consequential on those matters, and the defraying of, or the making of contributions towards, the cost of those matters by the promoter or any other person.

(3) Any agreement under subsection (2) may provide among other things, for the exercise of the powers of the promoter in respect of the authorised works or any part of them, and for the transfer to any person of the authorised works or any part of them together with the rights and obligations of the promoter in relation to them.

(4) The exercise of the powers of any enactment by any person in pursuance of any sale, lease, charge or disposal under paragraph (1), or any agreement under paragraph (2), is subject to the same restrictions, liabilities and obligations as would apply under this Order if those powers were exercised by the promoter.

Application of landlord and tenant law

47.—(1) This article applies to—

(a) any agreement for leasing to any person the whole or any part of the authorised tram system or the right to operate the same; and

(b) any agreement entered into by the promoter with any person for the construction, maintenance, use or operation of the authorised tram system, or any part of it,

so far as any such agreement relates to the terms on which any land which is the subject of a lease granted by or under that agreement is to be provided for that person’s use.

(2) No enactment or rule of law regulating the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants prejudices the operation of any agreement to which this article applies.

(3) No such enactment or rule of law applies in relation to the rights and obligations of the parties to any lease granted by or under any such agreement so as to—

(a) exclude or in any respect modify any of the rights and obligations of those parties under the terms of the lease, whether with respect to the termination of the tenancy or any other matter;

(b) confer or impose on any such party any right or obligation arising out of or connected with anything done or omitted on or in relation to land which is the subject of the lease, in addition to any such right or obligation provided for by the terms of the lease; or

(c) restrict the enforcement (whether by action for damages or otherwise) by any party to the lease of any obligation of any other party under the lease.

Tramcars deemed public service vehicles

48.—(1) On such day as may be appointed under paragraph (2), regulations made, or having effect as if made, under sections 24, 25 or 60(1)(j) or (k) of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981(4) has effect as if the tramcars used on the authorised tram system were public service vehicles used in the provision of a local service within the meaning of the Transport Act 1985.

(2) The promoter may by resolution appoint a day for the purpose of any regulation mentioned in paragraph (1), the day so appointed being fixed in accordance with paragraph (3).

(3) The promoter must publish in a newspaper circulating in its area, notice—

(a) of the passing of any such resolution and of the day fixed by the resolution; and

(b) of the general effect of the enactments for the purposes of which the day has been fixed,

and the day so fixed must not be earlier than the expiration of 28 days from the date of the publication of the notice.

(4) A photostatic or other reproduction certified by the Chief Executive of the promoter to be a true reproduction of a page, or part of a page, of any newspaper bearing the date of its publication and containing the notice mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) is evidence of the publication of the notice and of the date of publication.

Substitute road services

49.—(1) The promoter may provide or secure the provision by other persons of services for the carriage of passengers by road (“substitute services”) where the tram system has been temporarily interrupted, curtailed or discontinued.

(2) The route, frequency and stopping places of any substitute service need not correspond with the route of the interrupted, curtailed or discontinued service.

(3) Section 6 (registration of local services) of the Transport Act 1985(5) does not apply to any substitute services.

(1)

1994 c. 22.

(2)

As amended by section 102 of, and Schedule 17 to, the Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51) and section 168(1) of, and paragraph 39 of Schedule 8 to, the 1991 Act.

(3)

2003 c. 20.

(4)

1981 c. 14.

(5)

1985 c. 67.