§ 56 — Service suspension order

56.—(1) Where it appears to the Minister that —(a)

there is a serious and imminent risk to travel on a cross‑border railway because of an accident, a malfunction, natural disaster, terrorist act or other exceptional reason; and

(b)

it is appropriate or requisite, to avoid any actual or imminent occurrence that endangers or threatens to endanger the safety of the public, that an order be made under this section,

the Minister may make an order suspending the provision of cross‑border train services on the cross‑border railway (called in this section a service suspension order).

(2) A service suspension order must require the licensee to whom it relates (according to the circumstances of the case) —(a)

to close the cross-border railway for the carriage of passengers; and

(b)

to do, or not to do, such other things as are specified in the order or are of a description so specified.

(3) A service suspension order —(a)

must take effect at such time, being the earliest practicable time, as is determined by or under the order; and

(b)

may be revoked at any time by the Minister.

(4) In determining whether it is appropriate or requisite that a service suspension order be made, the Minister must have regard, in particular, to the views of the bilateral committee and the corresponding rail authority unless it is not practicable to first obtain those views.

(5) A service suspension order under this section will cease to have effect at the end of such period (not exceeding 30 days) as is determined by or under the order.

(6) However, the cessation of a service suspension order having effect does not prevent a further service suspension order being made by the Minister if the Minister is satisfied that the circumstances warrant it.

—(1) Where it appears to the Minister that —(a)

there is a serious and imminent risk to travel on a cross‑border railway because of an accident, a malfunction, natural disaster, terrorist act or other exceptional reason; and

(b)

it is appropriate or requisite, to avoid any actual or imminent occurrence that endangers or threatens to endanger the safety of the public, that an order be made under this section,

the Minister may make an order suspending the provision of cross‑border train services on the cross‑border railway (called in this section a service suspension order).

(2) A service suspension order must require the licensee to whom it relates (according to the circumstances of the case) —(a)

to close the cross-border railway for the carriage of passengers; and

(b)

to do, or not to do, such other things as are specified in the order or are of a description so specified.

(3) A service suspension order —(a)

must take effect at such time, being the earliest practicable time, as is determined by or under the order; and

(b)

may be revoked at any time by the Minister.

(4) In determining whether it is appropriate or requisite that a service suspension order be made, the Minister must have regard, in particular, to the views of the bilateral committee and the corresponding rail authority unless it is not practicable to first obtain those views.

(5) A service suspension order under this section will cease to have effect at the end of such period (not exceeding 30 days) as is determined by or under the order.

(6) However, the cessation of a service suspension order having effect does not prevent a further service suspension order being made by the Minister if the Minister is satisfied that the circumstances warrant it.