Part VIII

Interference and Damage

Roadside dangers

Protection of road users from dangers near a road.
93
1
If, in the opinion of the roads authority, anything which is on land beside or near to a road—
a
but is not itself a building constitutes a danger to road users and there is no other provision of this Act under or by virtue of which they may take steps to obviate the danger, they shall, under this subsection, take such steps;
b
and is a building constitutes a danger to road users and there is no other such provision as aforesaid, they shall under this subsection take such steps by way of enclosure or screening,
as they consider appropriate to afford protection from the danger or to ensure that the danger is not so constituted; and they may, subject to subsection (6)(a) below, recover the expenses reasonably incurred in so doing from the owner of the land.
2
Where there is on land adjoining a road—
a
a fence made with barbed wire, or in or on which barbed wire has been laid;
b
an electrified fence; or
c
a wall or window-sill incorporating spikes, broken glass, barbed wire or a similar device,
and such wire, electrified fence, spikes, glass or device is in the opinion of the roads authority likely to be injurious to persons or animals lawfully using the road, the roads authority may serve a notice on the occupier of the land requiring him, within such period as may be specified in the notice, to take such steps as may be so specified to remove the risk of injury.
3
Where the roads authority are occupiers of land adjoining a road, and there is on that land any such thing as is described in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (2) above, then—
a
in the case of a local roads authority, any person, being a ratepayer or person liable to pay council tax within their area; and
b
in the case of the Secretary of State, any person,
may, if of the opinion required of a roads authority by the said subsection, serve a notice on the authority requiring them to take such steps as may be specified in the notice to remove the risk of injury.
4
If the period specified in a notice served under subsection (3) above expires without the steps so specified having been taken, the person who served the notice may apply to the sheriff who may, if he is satisfied that the steps specified in the notice are necessary, order the roads authority to take those steps.
5
In subsection (2) above “barbed wire” means any wire or strip metal with spikes or jagged projections.
6
A person who considers that in all the circumstances he should not be required—
a
to pay such expenses as are mentioned in subsection (1) above, may within 28 days of the first written intimation to him by the roads authority of their intention to recover those expenses from him; or
b
to take such steps as are specified in a notice served on him under subsection (2) above, may within 28 days of such notice,
refer the matter by summary application to the sheriff; and the decision of the sheriff on the matter shall be final.
S. 93: power to contract out functions of the Secretary of State (16.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/878, art. 2, Sch. para. 5(ad)
Words in s. 93(3)(a) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39 s. 180(1), Sch. 13, para. 135(4); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)