The Network Rail (West Coast Main Line) Order 2003

Railway and navigation undertakings

3.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, the powers under article 11 of this Order to break up or open a street shall not be exercisable where the street, not being a highway maintainable at public expense (within the meaning of the Highways Act 1980)—

(a) is under the control or management of, or is maintainable by, railway or tramway undertakers or a navigation authority; or

(b) forms part of a level crossing belonging to any such undertakers or to such an authority or to any other person,

except with the consent of the undertakers or authority or, as the case may be, of the person to whom the level crossing belongs.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply to the carrying out under this Order of emergency works, within the meaning of Part III of the Street Works Act.

(3) A consent given for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) may be made subject to such reasonable conditions as may be specified by the person giving it but shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(4) In this paragraph “navigation authority” means any person who has a duty or power under any enactment to work, maintain, conserve, improve or control any canal or other inland navigation, navigable river, estuary, harbour or dock.