Land Drainage Act 1976

Drainage works concerning more than one drainage authority

20 Drainage works on boundary of water authority area

(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, drainage works in connection with the main river may be carried out by a water authority on or near the boundary of the water authority area notwithstanding that they are or include works in the area of another water authority.

(2) Where such works are in connection with the main river of both water authority areas the power to carry out the works shall be exercisable only by one of the water authorities and the question by which of them it is to be exercisable shall be determined by agreement between them or, in default of agreement, by the Minister.

(3) The water authority carrying out any works by virtue of the preceding provisions of this section shall be entitled to such contributions from the other water authority towards the cost of those works as may be agreed between them or as may, in default of agreement, be determined by the Minister.

21 Arrangements between drainage authorities

(1) A water authority may enter into an agreement with any internal drainage board for the carrying out by the board, on such terms as to payment or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement, of any work in connection with the main river which the water authority are authorised to carry out and which, if outside the district of the board, is not in any other internal drainage district.

(2) A drainage authority for any area may, with the consent of the drainage authority for any adjoining area, execute and maintain in that adjoining area any works which the first-mentioned authority might execute or maintain within their own area, on such terms as to payment or otherwise as may be agreed between the authorities, or may agree to contribute to the expense of the execution or maintenance of any works by the drainage authority of any adjoining area.

(3) Any expense incurred by a drainage authority under subsection (2) above shall be defrayed as if the expense had been incurred in their own area.