Roads (Scotland) Act 1984

• Citation: 1984 c. 54
• Sections: 362

Section 1 Powers and duties of local roads authorities.

(1) Subject to subsection (10) below, a local roads authority shall manage and maintain all such roads in their area as are for the time being entered in a list (in this Act referred to as their “list of public roads”) prepared and kept by them under this section; and for the purposes of such management and maintenance (and without prejudice to this subsection’s generality) they shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, have power to reconstruct, alter, widen, improve or renew any such road or to determine the means by which the public right of passage over it, or over any part of it, may be exercised.

(2) Subject to subsection (10) below, the list of public roads prepared by the local roads authority shall, at the date of commencement of this section, comprise all public roads which immediately prior to that date were required to be entered by the local highway authority for the area in a list of the roads highways and bridges under their management and control under section 41 of the Roads and Bridges (Scotland) Act 1878 or in a register of streets under section 5 of the Burgh Police (Scotland) Act 1903 or any corresponding local enactment.

(3) The list of public roads shall be open for inspection free of charge at such reasonable times and places as the local roads authority may determine.

(4) The local roads authority may, subject to the provisions of this Act, add to or delete from their list of public roads; but before any entry for a road which for the time being is a private road is so added or any entry for a public road is so deleted they shall—

(a) give notice of their intention in that regard to the frontages of that road; and

(b) publish a notice of such intention in at least one newspaper circulating in the area,

and, where any representation is made within 28 days after the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) above have been fulfilled, the authority shall consider that representation and give notice to the person making it and, with a note or copy of the representation, to the frontagers (or to the other frontagers if it was a representation by a frontager) of the authority’s decision as regards whether or not to proceed with the addition or deletion following the representation:

Provided that—

any addition or deletion giving effect to a decision under subsection (5) below;

any deletion in consequence of the stopping up of a public road under this Act; or

any deletion on transfer of such a road to another roads authority,

shall not require such intimation or publication as is mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) above.

(5) The requisite number of frontagers to whom notice of a decision following a representation is given under subsection (4) above may, within 28 days of such notice, refer the matter by summary application to the sheriff. His decision thereon shall, subject to subsection (8) below, be final and, where that decision requires the addition or deletion to be proceeded with, shall be given effect to forthwith by the local roads authority.

(6) A decision of which notice is given under subsection (4) above shall not be given effect to until the 28 days mentioned in subsection (5) above have expired or, if the matter has been referred under the said subsection (5) to the sheriff, until the summary application has been disposed of or abandoned.

(7) In subsection (5) above, “ the requisite number ” means—

(a) a majority; or

(b) such number as together owns land which . . . . . . includes not less than half of the boundary between the land fronting or abutting the road mentioned in subsection (4)(a) above and that road; . . . . . .

(8) Subsection (5) above is without prejudice to the rights of the local roads authority to proceed again under subsection (4) above as regards the same addition or deletion (or as regards an addition or deletion which comprehends, or is comprehended in, the same addition or deletion) where there has been a material change of circumstances since the publication, in relation to the original proposed addition or deletion, of the notice under subsection (4)(b) above.

(9) Subject to subsection (10) below, every road which is entered in the list of public roads kept by a local roads authority shall vest in the authority for the purposes of their functions as roads authority: but such vesting shall not confer on an authority any heritable right in relation to a road.

(10) There shall not vest under subsection (9) above any bridge which both—

(a) immediately prior to the commencement of this section was not so managed and controlled as is mentioned in subsection (2) above; and

(b) has not since such commencement been acquired (whether compulsorily or by agreement) by the local roads authority,

and without prejudice to sections 79 to 81 of this Act, until such acquisition the authority shall not manage and maintain the bridge (as distinct from any road carried by it) and any entry in their list of public roads in respect of such a road shall include a statement to the effect that the road does not, for the purposes of subsection (1) above, comprise the bridge carrying the road.

Section 2 Powers and duties of Secretary of State as roads authority: management and maintenance.

(1) The Secretary of State shall manage and maintain—

(a) trunk roads;

(b) special roads provided by him; and

(c) any other road constructed by him under section 19 of this Act (or section 8 of the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act 1909) and not entered in a list of public roads by a local roads authority,

and for the purposes of such management and maintenance (and without prejudice to this subsection’s generality) he shall have power to reconstruct, alter, widen, improve or renew any such road or to determine the means by which the public right of passage over it, or over any part of it, may be exercised.

(2) The Secretary of State shall prepare and keep a list of roads which he is for the time being liable to manage and maintain under subsection (1) above; and the list shall, at the date of commencement of this section, comprise all roads which immediately prior to that date were managed and maintained by him.

(3) The list referred to in subsection (2) above shall be open for inspection free of charge at such reasonable times and places as the Secretary of state may determine.

(4) Every road maintainable by the Secretary of State under subsection (1) above shall vest in him for the purposes of his functions as roads authority; but such vesting shall not confer on him any heritable right in relation to a road.

Section 3 Power of Secretary of State to make advances to local roads authorities etc.

(1) The Secretary of State . . . may subject to subsection (2)(b)(iii) below make to a local roads authority—

(a) advances (other than advances in respect of the acquisition of land) in respect of the construction of new roads or the maintenance or improvement of roads or make such advances in conjunction with such an authority (whether or not that authority is the roads authority by whom the road is, or as the case may be will be, maintainable) to any person;

(b) advances in respect of the acquisition of land by them where he is satisfied that the land has been or is to be acquired by the authority with a view to the construction of a new road or the improvement of a road.

(2) The advances mentioned—

(a) in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) above may include advances for the purpose of carrying out surveys with a view to ascertaining the need for the construction or improvement of roads (whether or not such construction or improvement is thereafter proceeded with); and

(b) in paragraphs (a) and (b) of that subsection—

(i) may include advances in connection with the exercise of any power conferred on a local roads authority by section 52, 53 or 106 of this Act;

(ii) may include advances for any purpose incidental, or conducive, to the purposes mentioned in those paragraphs; and

(iii) shall be made only where it appears to the Secretary of State that the whole or any part of the expenditure in respect of which such advances could be made should not fall on the authority.

(3) Without prejudice to subsection (2)(b)(iii) above, the advances mentioned in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) above may include, where the land is acquired by the authority, either or both of—

(a) any amount by which the annual expenditure incurred by the authority in maintaining the land, during the period between its acquisition and the construction or improvement of the road in question, and in the payment of loan charges accruing due during that period in respect of any debt incurred by the authority for the purpose of acquiring the land, exceeds the annual income accruing to the authority from the land during that period; and

(b) any loan charges accruing due after the end of that period in respect of any money borrowed by the authority for the purpose of acquiring the land.

(4) An advance under subsection (1)(a) or (b) above may be either by way of grant or by way of loan, or partly in one way and partly in the other, and shall be upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

(5) In subsection (3) above, “ loan charges ”, in relation to any borrowed money, means the sums required for the payment of interest on that money and for the repayment thereof by instalments or by means of a sinking fund.

Section 4 Agreements between authorities.

(1) Subject to subsections (2) to (5) below, the Secretary of State may enter into an agreement with a local roads authority . . . in relation to cleansing, with a district council, for the carrying out by the authority . . . or any of his functions as roads authority—

(a) in relation to a trunk or other road or land acquired by him under this Act in connection with, but not forming part of, a trunk road;

(b) in relation to cattle-grids.

(2) Subsection (1) above does not apply as regards functions under section 55 of this Act, but subject to subsections (4) and (5) below, the Secretary of State may enter into an agreement with a general or district planning authority for the carrying out by the authority of any of his functions under that section.

(3) Where an agreement under subsection (1) above affects a trunk road in the area of a local roads authority who are not a party to the agreement, the agreement shall have effect only if the authority consent to it.

(4) An authority doing anything under an agreement entered into under this section act as agents for the Secretary of State, and nothing in any such agreement affects his status as roads authority.

(5) The functions of the Secretary of State mentioned in sub-sections (1) and (2) above do not include his functions under Schedules 1 and 2 to this Act.

Section 5 Trunk roads.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, all roads which immediately before the commencement of this section were trunk roads within the meaning of the Trunk Roads Acts 1936 and 1946 shall continue to be, and to be known as, trunk roads.

(2) The Secretary of State shall keep under review the national system of routes for through traffic in Scotland, and if he is satisfied, after taking into consideration the requirements of local and national planning, including the requirements of agriculture and industry, that it is expedient for the purpose of extending, improving or reorganising that system either—

(a) that any existing road, or any road proposed to be constructed by him, should become a trunk road, or

(b) that any trunk road should cease to be a trunk road,

he may by order direct that the road shall become, or as the case may be shall cease to be, a trunk road as from such date as may be specified in that regard in the order.

(3) The power of the Secretary of State under subsection (2)(a) above shall include power to direct that a road, or a proposed road, which he considers suitable for the purpose of relieving the trunk road from local traffic shall become part of the trunk road, whether or not there is (or will be) intervening land between those roads.

(4) Subject to subsection (7)(i) below, Parts I and III of Schedule 1 to this Act shall have effect in connection with the making of an order under this section, and Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect in connection with the validity and date of operation of any such order.

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(6) Where an order under this section directs that a road shall cease to be a trunk road it may also direct that—

(a) as from the date specified in that regard in the order, the local roads authority for the area shall become the roads authority for the road; and

(b) the authority shall enter the road in their list of public roads.

(7) If an order—

(a) under this section, or

(b) under section 1(3) of the Trunk Roads Act 1936 and continuing in force by virtue of paragraph 5 of Schedule 6 to this Act,

directing that a road which the Secretary of State proposes to construct shall become a trunk road—

(i) is revoked by a subsequent order made at any time before the date on which that road is opened for the purposes of through traffic, Schedules 1 and 2 to this Act shall have no effect as regards the revoking order, but within 28 days of the revoking order’s having been made notice of the revocation shall be published by the Secretary of State in the Edinburgh Gazette and in such other manner as he thinks best adapted for informing persons affected;

(ii) is revoked or varied by a subsequent order made at any such time as aforesaid, the revoking or varying order shall not be deemed for the purposes of subsection (6) above to be an order directing that a road shall cease to be a trunk road.

(8) Without prejudice to the powers of the Secretary of State under this Act—

(a) to improve trunk roads by the construction of cycle tracks and footways for use in connection therewith, or

(b) to provide such tracks or footways as part of any trunk road which he is authorised to construct,

the power to make an order under this section directing that a road proposed to be constructed by the Secretary of State shall become a trunk road may be exercised in relation to any cycle track or footpath which the Secretary of State proposes to construct upon land separated by intervening land from the trunk road in connection with which it is to be used.

(9) A local roads authority, if they think fit, may contribute towards costs incurred by the Secretary of State in the construction or improvement of any trunk road.

Section 6 Local and private Act functions with respect to trunk roads.

As from the date when a road becomes a trunk road, any functions of construction, maintenance or improvement exercisable as respects that road by a local roads authority under any local or private Act shall instead be exercisable by the Secretary of State.

Section 7 General provision as to special roads.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, all such roads as immediately before the commencement of this Act were special roads, being roads provided in pursuance of a scheme made under section 1 of the Special Roads Act 1949, shall continue to be, and to be known as, special roads.

(2) Roads which continue to be special roads by virtue of subsection (1) above shall continue, subject to the provisions of this Act, to be special roads for the use of traffic of the classes for the use of which they were special roads immediately before the commencement of this Act.

(3) A roads authority may be authorised by means of a scheme under this section to provide, along a route prescribed by the scheme, a special road for the use of traffic of any class so prescribed.

(4) Subject to subsection (10) below, a roads authority authorised by a scheme under this section, or by any such scheme as is referred to in subsection (1) above, to provide a special road are in this Act referred to in relation to that road as the “ special road authority ”.

(5) A special road authorised by a scheme under this section may be provided by means of—

(a) the construction by the special road authority of a new road along the route prescribed by the scheme or along any part of that route;

(b) the appropriation under this Act of any road (or proposed road in course of construction) comprised in that route for which the special road authority are the roads authority;

(c) the transfer to that authority under this Act of any road (or proposed road in course of construction) comprised in that route for which they are not the roads authority.

(6) A scheme under this section authorising the provision of a special road shall—

(a) in the case of a road to be provided by the Secretary of State, be made by the Secretary of State, and

(b) in the case of a road to be provided by a local roads authority, be made by that authority and confirmed by the Secretary of State,

in accordance with the provisions of Parts II and III of Schedule 1 to this Act.

(7) Before making or confirming a scheme under this section, the Secretary of State shall give due consideration to the requirements of local and national planning, and to the requirements of agriculture and industry.

(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(9) ... Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the validity and date of operation of schemes under this section .

(10) A scheme under this section may be submitted to the Secretary of State jointly by any two or more local roads authorities, and any such scheme may determine which of those authorities shall be the special road authority for the special road and may provide—

(a) for the performance by the special road authority, in relation to the road, of any roads functions of another authority who are party to the submission; and

(b) for the making of contributions by that other authority to the special road authority in respect of expenditure incurred in the performance of those functions.

Section 8 Further provision as regards classification of traffic for purposes of special roads.

(1) Different classes of traffic may be prescribed by a scheme under section 7 of this Act in relation to different parts of the special road to which the scheme relates.

(2) The classes of traffic prescribed by any such scheme shall be prescribed by reference to the classes set out in Schedule 3 to this Act.

(3) The Secretary of State may by order vary the classes of traffic specified in the said Schedule 3 and the composition of any such class; . . .

(4) A variation order may contain provision applying the variations made by the order to existing schemes (whether made by the Secretary of State or a local roads authority); and in the absence of such provision a variation order does not affect the classes of traffic prescribed in an existing scheme.

(5) In subsection (4) above an “ existing scheme ” means a scheme under section 7 made before the order comes into operation.

Section 9 Supplementary orders relating to special roads.

(1) Subject to section 113 of this Act, provision in relation to a special road may be made by an order under this section—

(a) for appropriating as part of the special road, as from such date as may be specified in the order, any road (or proposed road in course of construction) comprised in the route prescribed by the scheme authorising the special road and which is a road (or proposed road) for which the special road authority are the roads authority;

(b) for transferring to the special road authority, as from such date as may be specified in the order, any road (or proposed road in course of construction) comprised in that route and for which they are not the roads authority;

(c) for authorising the special road authority—

(i) to stop up, divert, improve or otherwise alter any road which crosses or enters the route of the special road or is or will be otherwise affected by the construction or improvement of the special road;

(ii) to construct any new road for purposes connected with any such alterations as aforesaid or for any other purpose connected with the special road or its construction and to close after such period as may be specified in the order any new road temporarily so constructed;

(d) for transferring to such roads authority as may be specified in the order, as from such date as may be so specified any road constructed by the special road authority in pursuance of the order or any previous order made under this section;

(e) for authorising or requiring the special road authority to exercise, either concurrently with or to the exclusion of any local authority , any functions which, apart from the order, would be exercisable by that local authority in relation to the special road or any part thereof other than functions of special road authority as regional or general planning authority within the meaning of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972; or

(f) for any other purpose incidental to the purposes aforesaid or otherwise incidental to the construction or maintenance of, or other dealing with, the special road.

(2) An order under this section shall—

(a) in the case of a special road provided or to be provided by the Secretary of State, be made by the Secretary of State;

(b) in the case of a special road provided or to be provided by a local roads authority, be made by that authority and confirmed by the Secretary of State,

in accordance with Parts I and III of Schedule 1 to this Act; and Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the validity and date of operation of any such order.

(3) No order authorising the stopping up of a road shall be made or confirmed by the Secretary of State under this section unless he is satisfied that another reasonably convenient route is available or will be provided in pursuance of an order under this section before the road is stopped up.

(4) No order providing for the appropriation by or transfer to a special road authority of an existing road comprised in the route prescribed by the scheme authorising the special road shall be made or confirmed by the Secretary of State under this section unless he is satisfied—

(a) that another reasonably convenient route is available for traffic other than traffic of the class authorised by the scheme, or will be provided in pursuance of an order under this section before the date on which the appropriation or transfer takes effect, or

(b) that no such other route is reasonably required for any such other traffic.

(5) An order under this section may provide for the payment of contributions—

(a) by the special road authority to any other roads authority in respect of any additional liabilities imposed on that other authority in consequence of the provisions of the order or of any previous order made under this section;

(b) to the special road authority by any other authority in respect of any liabilities so imposed on the special road authority, being liabilities which would otherwise have fallen to be discharged by the other authority;

and may also provide for the determination by arbitration of disputes as to the payment of such contributions.

Section 10 Certain special roads to be trunk roads.

(1) A special road to be provided by the Secretary of State in accordance with a scheme under section 7 of this Act shall, except in so far as it is provided by means of the appropriation or transfer of any existing road, become a trunk road on such date as may be specified in the scheme.

(2) A road (not being a trunk road) which, by means of an order under section 9 of this Act, is appropriated as a special road to be provided by the Secretary of State, and a road which, by means of such an order, is transferred to the Secretary of State, shall become a trunk road on the date on which it is so appropriated or is so transferred, as the case may be.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) above shall have effect subject to any provision of the scheme under section 7 of this Act directing that the special road in question or any part of it shall not be a trunk road; but any such provision shall not affect the power of the Secretary of State to make an order under section 5(2)(a) of this Act with respect to the special road or part.

Section 11 Classification of roads.

(1) The Secretary of State may, for the purposes of—

(a) any provision of this Act which refers to a classified or unclassified road; or

(b) any other enactment (whether passed or made before or after the passing of this Act) which refers to a road classified by the Secretary of State,

classify a road or proposed road (whether as a principal road or otherwise) from time to time in such manner as he may determine after consultation with any roads authority in whose area the road is, or will be, situated.

(2) In any enactment in force at the commencement of this Act a reference to a classified road (or any cognate reference) shall be construed as a reference to a road (or proposed road) which for the time being is classified, for the purposes of that enactment, under subsection (1) above.

(3) A road which, immediately before the commencement of this Act, bore (or fell to be treated as bearing) a classification (whether as a principal road or otherwise) given by the Secretary of State under any enactment shall, until the Secretary of State otherwise directs, be treated as continuing to bear that classification and as having been so classified under subsection (1) above.

(4) The Secretary of State may by order assign a new description to a class of roads (or proposed roads) classified under subsection (1) above; and except in so far as the order otherwise provides, any reference in any enactment passed or made before the date of the order to a road (or to a proposed road) in terms of the old description shall be construed as a reference to a road (or to a proposed road) of the new description.

Section 12 Powers as respects roads that cross or join public roads other than special roads.

(1) Subject to section 113, and without prejudice to section 9(1)(c), of this Act, provision may be made by the roads authority by an order under this section in relation to a public road (or proposed public road) other than a special road (or proposed public road which is to be a special road)—

(a) for authorising the roads authority for the road or proposed road (such road (or proposed road) being in this section referred to as the “ main road ”)—

(i) to stop up, divert, improve or otherwise alter a road (in this section referred to as the “ side road ”) which crosses or enters the route of the main road or is or will be otherwise affected by the construction or improvement of the main road;

(ii) to construct a new road for purposes concerned with any such operation as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) above or for any other purpose connected with the main road or its construction, and to close after such period as may be specified in the order any new road temporarily so constructed;

(b) for transferring to such other roads authority as may be specified in the order, as from such date as may be so specified, a road constructed in pursuance of the order or of any previous order made under this section;

(c) for any purpose incidental to the purposes aforesaid.

(2) Parts I and III of Schedule 1 to this Act shall have effect as to the making of an order under this section by the Secretary of State as roads authority; and Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect as to the validity and date of operation of any such order.

(3) No order under this section authorising the stopping up of a road shall be made by the Secretary of State unless he is satisfied that another reasonably convenient route is available or will be provided before the road is stopped up.

(4) An order under this section may provide for the payment of contributions—

(a) by the roads authority to any other roads authority in respect of any additional liabilities imposed on that other authority in consequence of the order or of any previous order made under this section;

(b) to the roads authority by any other roads authority in respect of any liabilities so imposed on the first mentioned authority which would otherwise have fallen to be discharged by that other authority;

and may also provide for the determination by arbitration of disputes as to the payment of such contributions.

(5) Except in a case to which section 132 of this Act applies, an order under this section shall include provision for the preservation of any rights of statutory undertakers in respect of any apparatus of theirs which immediately before the date of the order is under, in, on, over, along or across the side road.

(6) The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe the procedure to be followed by a local roads authority in making an order under this section; and such regulations may in particular make provision as to the means of public notification of the proposal to make such an order and may make like provision in relation to the local roads authority as is made by subsection (3) above in relation to the Secretary of State.

(7) Where a local roads authority propose to make an order under this section, then, before the expiry of 28 days from the date of the first public notification, in accordance with regulations under subsection (6) above, of the proposal to make the order, any person may object to it to the authority, and—

(a) if no such objection is made, or objection is made but withdrawn, they may confirm the order themselves and

(b) if such objection is made and not withdrawn, the Secretary of State shall determine the matter, and may confirm the order with or without modification or refuse to confirm it.

Section 12A Transitional power of Secretary of State as respects existing roads.

(1) Without prejudice to section 5 of this Act, where the Secretary of State considers that it is necessary or expedient as a result of, or in connection with, the establishment of new local government areas on 1st April 1996—

(a) that any existing road should become a trunk road; or

(b) that any trunk road should cease to be a trunk road,

he may by order direct that the road shall become a trunk road or, as the case may be, shall cease to be a trunk road, as from such date as may be specified in that regard in the order.

(2) Where an order under this section directs that a road shall cease to be a trunk road, it may also direct that—

(a) as from the date specified in that regard in the order, the local roads authority for the area shall become the roads authority for the road; and

(b) the authority shall enter the road in their list of public roads.

(3) An order under this section may relate to one or more roads.

Section 12B Transitional power of Secretary of State as respects proposed roads.

(1) Without prejudice to section 5 of this Act, where the Secretary of State considers that it is necessary or expedient as a result of, or in connection with, the establishment of new local government areas on 1st April 1996—

(a) that any proposed road—

(i) to be constructed by the local roads authority; and

(ii) in respect of which all necessary planning permission has been granted or is deemed to have been granted,

should become a trunk road; or

(b) that any proposed road—

(i) to be constructed by the Secretary of State as a trunk road; and

(ii) in relation to which an order has been made under section 5 of this Act,

should not become a trunk road,

he may by order direct that the proposed road shall or, as the case may be, shall not become a trunk road.

(2) Where an order is made in respect of a proposed road as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above—

(a) subject to subsection (6) below, the Secretary of State may, for the purposes of the construction of that road, do any thing which he would have been entitled to do if an order under section 12 of this Act (in this section referred to as a “section 12 order”) had been made in relation to that road; and

(b) where an EIA report has been published in respect of the project, the Secretary of State shall not be required to publish a further EIA report ,

but otherwise the Secretary of State shall in all respects be in the same position in relation to that proposed road as the local roads authority would have been if such order had not been made.

(3) Where an order is made in respect of a proposed road as mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above—

(a) the local roads authority may proceed with construction of the said road as if all necessary planning permission had been granted;

(b) the section 12 order made in relation to that road shall apply as if—

(i) the local roads authority were the roads authority referred to in such order; and

(ii) all necessary planning permission has been granted; and

(c) where an EIA report has been published in respect of the project, the local roads authority shall not be required to publish a further EIA report .

(4) Where an order under this section directs that a proposed road shall not become a trunk road, it may also direct that—

(a) as from the date specified in that regard in the order, the local roads authority for the area shall become the roads authority for the proposed road; and

(b) on such date as may be specified in that regard in the order, the authority shall enter the road in their list of public roads.

(5) An order under this section may relate to one or more proposed roads.

(6) The Secretary of State shall not by virtue of this section be empowered—

(a) to stop up a road as mentioned in section 12(1)(a)(i) of this Act; or

(b) to do anything mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 70 of this Act except where the local roads authority have been so authorised under a section 12 order; and where such an order has been made, the Secretary of State may do anything he would have been authorised to do if the order had been made by him.

(7) In this section and in section 12C of this Act “ planning permission ” means permission under Part III of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 .

Section 12C Transitional power of Secretary of State as respects special road schemes.

(1) Where the Secretary of State considers that it is necessary or expedient as a result of, or in connection with, the establishment of new local government areas on 1st April 1996 that—

(a) a special road which the Secretary of State is authorised to provide by virtue of a scheme under section 7 of this Act (a “section 7 scheme”) should be provided by a local roads authority; or

(b) a special road which a local roads authority is authorised to provide by virtue of a section 7 scheme which has been confirmed by the Secretary of State should be provided by the Secretary of State,

he may by order direct that the local roads authority or, as the case may be, the Secretary of State shall be authorised to provide such special road; and the section 7 schemes relating to those special roads shall (notwithstanding their terms) be deemed to authorise the provision of such special roads by the local roads authority and the Secretary of State respectively.

(2) Where an order is made in respect of a special road as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above—

(a) where the Secretary of State has made an order under section 9 of this Act (a “ section 9 order ”) in relation to that special road, the local roads authority may treat that order as if it were an order made by them and confirmed by the Secretary of State;

(b) any necessary planning permission (whether relating to the special road or the doing of anything authorised by virtue of the section 9 order) shall be deemed to have been granted to the local roads authority; and

(c) where an EIA report has been published in respect of the project, the local roads authority shall not be required to publish a further EIA report .

(3) Where an order is made in respect of a special road as mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above—

(a) if the local roads authority have made a section 9 order which has been confirmed by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State may treat that section 9 order as if it were an order made by him; and

(b) where an EIA report has been published in respect of the project, the Secretary of State shall not be required to publish a further EIA report ,

but otherwise the Secretary of State shall in all respects be in the same position in relation to that special road as the local roads authority would have been if such order had not been made.

Section 12D Application of section 112 to orders under sections 12A, 12B, 12C and 12E.

The provisions of section 112 of this Act shall apply, subject to such modifications as the Secretary of State may by order specify, to roads, proposed roads and special roads such as may be mentioned in orders made under sections 12A, 12B, 12C and 12E of this Act as they apply to roads mentioned in the said section 112.

Section 12E Further power of Secretary of State as respects proposed roads and special road schemes.

(1) Where the Secretary of State considers that it is necessary or expedient as a result of, or in connection with, the establishment of new local government areas on 1st April 1996 that any proposed road to be constructed by a local roads authority should become a trunk road, but the condition mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(ii) of section 12B of this Act is not satisfied in relation to such proposed road, he may, notwithstanding the provisions of that subsection, by order direct that the proposed road shall become a trunk road.

(2) The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 12B(2) of this Act shall apply where an order is made under subsection (1) above as they apply where an order is made under subsection (1)(a) of that section.

(3) Where the Secretary of State considers that it is necessary or expedient as a result of, or in connection with, the establishment of new local government areas on 1st April 1996 that a special road in respect of which a section 7 scheme has been made by a local roads authority but not confirmed by the Secretary of State should be provided by him, he may, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1)(b) of section 12C of this Act, by order, direct that he shall be authorised to provide such special road by virtue of such scheme.

(4) The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 12C(3) of this Act shall apply where an order is made under subsection (3) above as they apply where an order is made under subsection (1)(b) of that section.

(5) An order under subsection (1) or (3) above may include provision specifying the extent to which compliance before the making of that order with any statutory requirement in relation to the proposed road or, as the case may be, special road shall be deemed to satisfy for all purposes any statutory requirement which the Secretary of State would, apart from such provision, have been required to comply with in relation to that proposed road or special road.

(6) As from the date of an order under subsection (1) or (3) above, the proposed road or, as the case may be, special road shall be deemed always to have been a proposed road to be constructed by the Secretary of State or a special road which the Secretary of State is authorised to provide.

Section 12F Further provisions as to orders.

An order under section 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D or 12E of this Act may not be made so as to take effect more than 3 years after 1st April 1996.

Section 13 Making up and maintenance of private roads.

(1) The local roads authority may by notice to the frontagers of a private road require them to make the road up to, and maintain it at, such reasonable standard as may be specified in the notice.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above there may be required by notice under that subsection work as regards levelling, paving, lighting or drainage.

(3) A notice under subsection (1) above shall, without prejudice to the generality of section 136 of this Act, specify—

(a) the local roads authority’s estimate of the cost of the work required by the notice;

(b) a scheme whereby the cost is to be apportioned among the frontagers (being a scheme which is equitable in the opinion of the authority and which describes for each frontager the proportion of cost to be paid by him); and

(c) the dates by which the work shall be commenced and completed:

Provided that the authority may subsequently by notice allow a postponement of commencement or completion (or both).

(4) Without prejudice to subsection (5) below, a requirement imposed on frontagers by a notice under subsection (1) above may, if the requisite number of the frontagers so agree, be fulfilled on behalf of the frontagers by the local roads authority.

(5) Where the date specified in a notice under subsection (1) above for the commencement or, as the case may be, completion of the work specified in the notice expires without the work having been commenced or, as the case may be, completed, the local roads authority may carry out or complete the work.

(6) Without prejudice to section 14 of this Act, the expenses incurred by a local roads authority under subsection (4) or (5) above shall be recoverable from the frontagers in accordance with the scheme referred to in the notice mentioned in those subsections.

(7) A person upon whom a notice has been served under subsection (1) above may within 28 days of such service appeal by summary application to the sheriff; and the sheriff’s decision on the matter shall be final.

(8) In subsection (4) above, “ the requisite number ” has the same meaning in relation to the private road and the land fronting or abutting the road as it has in section 1(7) of this Act in relation to the road and land mentioned in that section.

Section 14 Power to contribute to, or carry out, work on private roads.

(1) A local roads authority may, if they think fit, pay the whole or any part of any expenditure incurred by a person in making up or maintaining a private road; and may, without prejudice to section 15 of this Act, at their own expense carry out any repair which they consider necessary in relation to a private road after giving such notice as is reasonable in the circumstances.

(2) For the avoidance of doubt—

(a) a local roads authority do not incur responsibility for making up or maintenance of the private road by reason only of their acting under subsection (1) above;

(b) the carrying out of work by a local roads authority under subsection (1) above does not create any implication that the private road, on completion of the work, is of a standard satisfactory to the authority for the purposes of section 16(1)(b) of this Act.

Section 15 Emergency work in relation to private roads.

(1) The local roads authority may, if in their opinion work in relation to a private road is necessary because circumstances constituting an emergency (other than an emergency constituted by such danger as is mentioned in section 91 of this Act) have arisen, carry out that work; and they shall not require to give any notice of their intention in that regard other than such (if any) as those circumstances appear to them to admit.

(2) The expenses of carrying out work under subsection (1) above shall be borne by the authority.

Section 16 Application for private road to become public road.

(1) If a private road—

(a) is of such standard as has last been required by relevant notice under section 13(1) of this Act; or

(b) where no such standard has been so required, is of a standard satisfactory to the local roads authority,

then, if application is made to them under this subsection by the requisite number of frontagers for such addition, the authority shall, subject to subsection (4) below, within 12 months of the application add the road to their list of public roads:

Provided that where the requirement mentioned in paragraph (a) above has been fulfilled by the authority under subsection (4) of the said section 13 or the work specified in the notice has been carried out or completed by them under subsection (5) thereof no such application shall be required and the authority shall add the road to the said list forthwith.

(2) If, on completion of a private road constructed in accordance with a construction consent granted under section 21(3) of this Act, the person granted such consent applies, as respects the road, under this subsection to the local roads authority they shall within 12 months of the application add the road to their list of public roads.

(3) Any dispute in relation to—

(a) subsection (1) above, between the local roads authority and any frontager; or

(b) subsection (2) above, between that authority and a person applying (or purporting to apply) under that subsection,

shall be determined by arbitration by a single arbiter appointed in default of agreement by the sheriff on the application of either party.

(4) Without prejudice to any addition made under subsection (1) or (2) above, the said subsection (1) or as the case may be (2) does not impose a duty as respects a road which within the period there allowed for such addition deteriorates to a standard below that mentioned in the said subsection (1).

(5) In the foregoing provisions of this section—

“ road ” does not include a footpath; and

“ the requisite number ” has the same meaning in relation to that road and the land fronting or abutting the road as it has in section 1(7) of this Act in relation to the road and land mentioned in that section.

Section 17 Security for private road works relating to housing.

(1) Subject to subsection (3)(a) below, this section applies where—

(a) it is proposed to—

(i) erect a building; or

(ii) alter an existing building which is not a private dwellinghouse,

for use as a private dwellinghouse; and

(b) the land comprising the building fronts or abuts or, as the case may be, will front or abut a private road which—

(i) has not been constructed; or

(ii) is not of a standard mentioned in section 16(1) of this Act.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for securing that, in a case to which this section applies, the erection or alteration shall not commence until—

(a) any construction consent required for the road under section 21(1) of this Act has been obtained; and

(b) there has been deposited with the local roads authority, or secured to their satisfaction, a sum sufficient to meet the cost of constructing the road in accordance with the construction consent or, as the case may be, of making the road up to the standard mentioned as aforesaid.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) above, regulations under that subsection may—

(a) provide that this section—

(i) shall not apply to a particular class or particular classes of dwellinghouse; or

(ii) shall apply to any such class or classes subject to such modifications as the regulations may specify;

(b) provide that in a case to which this section applies a person carrying out works in contravention of, or otherwise than in accordance with, the regulations commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum and conviction on indictment to a fine;

(c) provide that—

(i) in a case where circumstances mentioned in provisions made under paragraph (d)(vi) below have arisen the local roads authority shall construct the road or, as the case may be, make it up to the standard mentioned in section 16(1) of this Act; and

(ii) subsection (2) of section 20 of this Act shall apply to a road so constructed or made up as that subsection applies to a road constructed under subsection (1) of that section; and

(d) make provision as to—

(i) such deposit or security as is mentioned in subsection (2)(b) above;

(ii) circumstances in which such deposit or security may be dispensed with;

(iii) calculation of the amount of the sum mentioned in the said subsection (2)(b) and the apportionment of that amount where more than one person is liable, by virtue of this section, to deposit or secure that sum in respect of the same road;

(iv) conditions under which the local roads authority shall hold any such deposit;

(v) repayment of such deposit or discharge of such security; and

(vi) circumstances in which, and procedure by which, such deposit may be applied or, as the case may be, such security may be called up and the proceeds thereof applied, to meet the cost of the works in respect of which the deposit or security was held.

(4) Any dispute between a local roads authority and any person as to a matter arising from the foregoing provisions of this section or from regulations made thereunder shall be determined by a single arbiter appointed, in default of agreement, by the sheriff on the application of either party.

(5) In subsection (3) above, “ the statutory maximum ” has the meaning ascribed to it by section 74 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982.

Section 18 Power of local roads authority to take over footpaths associated with development.

(1) A local roads authority may enter into an agreement—

(a) with every owner of land which is associated with or forms part of a development and on which there is, or is to be constructed, a footpath so associated; or

(b) where a person other than the owner of the land is or will be responsible for the maintenance or construction of the footpath, with that other person,

whereby, if the footpath, is made up to the satisfaction of the authority, they shall enter it in their list of public roads; but where the owner or other person fails within such reasonable period as may be specified in the agreement to make up the footpath to the authority’s satisfaction, they may themselves carry out the work and recover from him such expenses as are reasonably incurred in so doing.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, where as regards an existing footpath a local roads authority are of the opinion that the obtaining of such agreement as is mentioned in subsection (1) above is not reasonably practicable, they may notwithstanding the absence of such agreement, enter the footpath in their list of public roads.

(3) A local roads authority shall not exercise the power conferred on them by subsection (2) above unless they have taken all reasonable steps to ascertain the identity of every owner of the land on which the footpath is, or is to be constructed and have obtained the consent to such exercise of a majority of those owners whose identities they have ascertained.

(4) In the foregoing provisions of this section “ development ” means residential or commercial building operations which will be, are being, or have been, carried out on land.

Section 19 Construction of new roads by Secretary of State as roads authority.

(1) Subject to, subsections (2) and (3) below, the Secretary of State, . . ., may construct new trunk and other roads.

(2) Without prejudice to section 5(4) and (5) of this Act, before constructing a road other than a trunk road under subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State shall consult every local roads authority in whose area any part of the road will be situated and shall consider any objections to the road which he may receive from them.

(3) Without prejudice to section 7(3) and (5)(a) of this Act, the “other roads” referred to in subsection (1) above do not include special roads.

Section 20 Construction of new roads other than special roads by local roads authority; and entry of such new roads and of special roads in list of public roads.

(1) Without prejudice to section 7(3) and (5)(a) of this Act, a local roads authority may construct in their area any new road, other than a special road, which they consider requisite.

(2) When such construction by them as is mentioned in subsection (1) above or in the said section 7(5)(a) is completed, the local roads authority shall enter the road (or as the case may be special road) in their list of public roads.

Section 20A Environmental assessment of certain road construction projects

The Scottish Ministers must not proceed with the construction of a new road for which they are the roads authority if an environmental impact assessment is required for that project in accordance with section 20C—

(a) unless an environmental impact assessment has been carried out, and

(b) in carrying out such an assessment, the Scottish Ministers have taken the environmental information into account.

Section 20B Projects with significant transboundary effects

(1) An environmental impact assessment is a process consisting of—

(a) the preparation of an EIA report by the Scottish Ministers;

(b) the carrying out of consultation, publication and notification as required by section 20C or section 55A and, where relevant, section 20F or section 55B (as it applies section 20F);

(c) the examination by the Scottish Ministers of the information presented in the EIA report and any other environmental information;

(d) the reasoned conclusion by the Scottish Ministers on the significant effects of the project on the environment, taking into account the results of the examination referred to in paragraph (c); and

(e) the integration of the Scottish Ministers’ reasoned conclusion into the decision notice in accordance with paragraph 7 or paragraph 13 of schedule 1 of this Act.

(2) The environmental impact assessment must identify, describe and assess in an appropriate manner, in light of the circumstances relating to the project, the direct and indirect significant effects of the project on the factors specified in subsection (3) and the interaction between those factors.

(3) The factors are—

(a) population and human health;

(b) biodiversity, and in particular species and habitats protected under any law in Scotland that implemented Directive 92/43/EEC and Directive 2009/147/EC , as amended by Regulation (EU) 2019/1010 ;

(c) land, soil, water, air and climate, and

(d) material assets, cultural heritage and the landscape.

(4) The effects to be identified, described and assessed under subsection (2) include the expected effects deriving from the vulnerability of the project to risks, so far as relevant to the project, of major accidents and disasters.

(5) The environmental impact assessment must identify the likely significant effects of the project on the environment before a decision to proceed with the project is made.

(6) The Scottish Ministers must ensure that they have, or have access as necessary to, sufficient expertise to examine the EIA report.

(7) In this section and sections 20C to 20G, “the project” means a project for the construction of a new road for which the Scottish Ministers are the roads authority.

Section 20C Environmental Impact Assessment Report

(1) If the Scottish Ministers have under consideration the construction of a new road for which they are the roads authority they must, before details of the project are published, determine whether it falls within Annex I or II.

(2) If the Scottish Ministers determine that the project—

(a) falls within Annex I; or

(b) is a relevant project falling within Annex II , and that having regard to the selection criteria in Annex III it should be made subject to an environmental impact assessment in accordance with the Directive,

they must , not later than the date when details of the project are published, prepare an EIA report and publish notice of it in accordance with subsections (5) to (10) and paragraph 7(1C), or 13(1C), as the case may be, of schedule 1 of this Act.

(3) In making a determination as to whether a project is a relevant project falling within Annex II the Scottish Ministers must—

(a) in all cases take into account—

(i) such of the selection criteria set out in Annex III as are relevant to the project,

(ii) the available results of any relevant assessment of the effects of the project, and

(b) base their decision on the information set out in subsection (4).

(4) The information referred to in subsection (3)(b) is to be compiled taking into account, where relevant, the factors set out in subsection (3)(a) and must include—

(a) a description of the location of the project, including a plan sufficient to identify the land;

(b) a description of the project, including in particular—

(i) a description of the physical characteristics of the project and, where relevant, of demolition works,

(ii) a description of the location of the project, with particular regard to the environmental sensitivity of geographical areas likely to be affected,

(c) a description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the project; and

(d) a description of any likely significant effects (to the extent of the information available on such effects) of the project on the environment resulting from—

(i) the expected residues and emissions and the production of waste, where relevant, and

(ii) the use of natural resources, in particular soil, land, water and biodiversity.

(5) The Scottish Ministers must publish any determination made by them in accordance with subsections (1) to (4), and that determination must include—

(a) a statement giving, with reference to such of the criteria set out in Annex III as are relevant to the project, the main reasons for the determination; and

(b) where the determination is to the effect that the project does not require an environmental impact assessment, the statement referred to in paragraph (a) must state any features of the project which are envisaged to avoid or prevent significant adverse effects on the environment.

(6) An EIA report is a report prepared by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with this section which assesses the environmental impact of the project and which includes (at least)—

(a) a description of the project comprising information on the site, design, size and other relevant features of the project;

(b) a description of the likely significant effects of the project on the environment;

(c) a description of the features of the project and any measures envisaged in order to avoid, prevent or reduce and, if possible, offset likely significant adverse effects on the environment;

(d) a description of the reasonable alternatives studied by the Scottish Ministers, which are relevant to the project and its specific characteristics, and an indication of the main reasons for the option chosen, taking into account the effects of the project on the environment;

(e) a non-technical summary of the information referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d); and

(f) any other information specified in schedule 1A of this Act relevant to the specific characteristics of the project and to the environmental features likely to be affected.

(7) With a view to avoiding duplication of assessments, account is to be taken of the available results of other relevant assessments under ... other legislation applicable in Scotland in preparing the EIA report.

(8) In order to ensure the completeness and quality of the EIA report—

(a) the Scottish Ministers must ensure that the EIA report is prepared by competent experts; and

(b) the EIA report must be accompanied by a statement from the Scottish Ministers outlining the relevant expertise or qualifications of such experts.

(9) The Scottish Ministers must publish notice of the EIA report so as to ensure that members of the public who are likely to be concerned are given a reasonable opportunity to express an opinion before a decision on whether to proceed with the project is taken, and the Scottish Ministers must not make any such decision without taking into consideration any opinion so expressed to them within a period of 42 days commencing with the date of publication of notice of the EIA report.

(10) Notice under subsection (9) must state—

(a) that the Scottish Ministers, as the relevant roads authority, are considering implementing the project;

(b) the proposed location and nature of the project;

(c) that the project is subject to environmental impact assessment and, where relevant, state that it is likely to have significant effects in an EEA State;

(d) that a copy of the EIA report may be inspected at an address in the area in which the project is proposed to be situated during the period specified under paragraph (i);

(e) the times at which a copy of the EIA report can be so inspected;

(f) an address from which copies of the EIA report may be obtained and from which further information about the project may be requested during the period specified under paragraph (i);

(g) if a charge is to be made for a copy of the EIA report, the amount of the charge;

(h) that the Scottish Ministers use a website for the purpose of giving information to the public about projects of a category into which the project in question falls, and provide the address of the website where a copy of the EIA report will be available for inspection by the public during the period provided for under paragraph (i);

(i) that any person wishing to make any representations about the project and the EIA report may do so in writing to the Scottish Ministers at a specified address within a specified period, being a period of not less than 42 days commencing with the date of publication of the notice; and

(j) that the Scottish Ministers will take into consideration any representations so made before deciding whether or not to proceed with the project with or without modifications.

(11) The Scottish Ministers must ensure that during the period specified under subsection (10)(i)—

(a) copies of the EIA report are available for inspection by any person free of charge at all reasonable hours at the address specified under subsection (10)(d);

(b) copies of the EIA report are available to be obtained by any person from the address specified under subsection (10)(f); and

(c) the Scottish Ministers use a website for the purpose of giving information to the public about projects of a category into which the project in question falls, and that a copy of the EIA report is available for inspection at a specified website address.

(12) A reasonable charge reflecting the costs of printing, copying and distribution may be made by the Scottish Ministers for the supply of a copy of the EIA report—

(a) to a person other than a consultation body; or

(b) to a consultation body to which one copy has already been supplied free of charge.

(13) In order to ensure the completeness and quality of the EIA report the Scottish Ministers must where necessary (having regard in particular to current knowledge and methods of assessment) obtain supplementary information about any matter referred to in subsection (6) which in the opinion of the Scottish Ministers is directly relevant to reaching a reasoned conclusion on the significant effects of the project on the environment.

(14) Where the Scottish Ministers obtain supplementary information relating to the EIA report and such supplementary information is reasonably required to give proper consideration to the likely environmental effects of the project, except insofar as such supplementary information is required for the purposes of an inquiry held under section 139, subsections (9) to (12) shall apply to such supplementary information as they apply to an EIA report (subject to any necessary modifications).

(15) The Scottish Ministers must ensure that the consultation bodies are given an opportunity to express an opinion on the project and the EIA report before they decide whether to proceed with the project and must not make any such decision within a period of 42 days commencing with the date of sending the report to the consultation bodies.

(16) In this section and sections 20D to 20G, paragraphs 7 and 13 of schedule 1 of this Act, and paragraph 9 of schedule 1A of this Act—

“the Directive” means Council Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment as amended by Council Directive 2014/52/EU ;

“Annex” means an Annex to the Directive;

“relevant project” means a project for the construction of a new road where the completed works (together with any area occupied by apparatus, equipment, machinery, materials, plant, spoil heaps, or other such facilities or stores required during the period of construction)—

exceed 1 hectare in area; or

are situated in whole or in part in a sensitive area,

“sensitive area” has the meaning ascribed to that expression in regulation 2(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999; and

...

Section 20D Co-ordination of assessments

(1) Where the Scottish Ministers determine under section 20C(2) that a new road construction project should be made subject to an environmental impact assessment in accordance with the Directive and there is, in addition to that requirement for an environmental impact assessment to be carried out also a requirement to carry out a Habitats Regulation Assessment, the Scottish Ministers must, where appropriate, ensure that the Habitats Regulation Assessment and the environmental impact assessment are co-ordinated.

(2) In this section a “Habitats Regulation Assessment” means an assessment under regulation 48 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994.

Section 20E Competent authority – avoidance of conflict of interest

(1) The Scottish Ministers must perform their duties under Part III of this Act in an objective manner and so as not to find themselves in a situation giving rise to a conflict of interest.

(2) Where the Scottish Ministers are considering whether to proceed with a new road construction project they must implement within their organisation of administrative competencies an appropriate separation between conflicting functions when performing their duties under this Part .

Section 20F Projects with significant transboundary effects

(1) This section applies if—

(a) it appears to the Scottish Ministers that a project to which section 20C(2) applies is likely to have a significant effect on the environment in an EEA State, or

(b) an EEA State the environment of which is likely to be significantly affected by such a project asks the Scottish Ministers for information about it.

(2) The Scottish Ministers must give to the relevant EEA State—

(a) a description of the project together with any information available to them which suggests that it may have a significant effect on the environment in that EEA State,

(b) any information which they have about the nature of the decision which may be taken on the project,

(c) where they consider it appropriate, information about the environmental impact assessment procedure, and

(d) a reasonable period within which to indicate whether that EEA State wishes to participate in that procedure.

(3) Subsection (2)(a) and (b) above must be complied with no later than the date of publication of the notice referred to in section 20C(5).

(4) If the EEA State indicates that it wishes to participate in the environmental impact assessment procedure, the Scottish Ministers must give it—

(a) a copy of the EIA report where that has not already been given to that EEA State,

(b) the information required by subsection (10) of section 20C to be included in the notice under subsection (9) of that section, and

(c) any information about the environmental impact assessment procedure under this Part of this Act which they consider it appropriate to give and has not already been given to that EEA State.

(5) The Scottish Ministers must also—

(a) arrange for the information which they have given to the EEA State to be made available within a reasonable time to—

(i) any authority in that State that the State may specify , and

(ii) members of the public in the EEA State who are likely to be concerned, and

(b) ensure that those authorities and the members of the public concerned are given a reasonable opportunity to express an opinion before they decide whether to proceed with the project.

(6) The Scottish Ministers must—

(a) consult the EEA State concerned regarding in particular the potential significant effects of the project on the environment of that EEA State and the measures envisaged to reduce or eliminate those effects, and

(b) agree with that EEA State a reasonable period for responding to that consultation.

(7) Where an EEA State has been consulted in accordance with subsection (6) above, the Scottish Ministers must, after deciding whether to proceed with the project to which the environmental assessment relates, inform the EEA State of the decision and give it copies of the documents containing the matters referred to in paragraph 7(1B), or paragraph 13(1B) as the case may be, of schedule 1 of this Act.

Section 20G Monitoring measures

(1) Where the Scottish Ministers have decided to proceed with a project to construct a new road in relation to which an environmental impact assessment has been required, the Scottish Ministers must consider whether it is appropriate to require monitoring measures to be carried out.

(2) When considering whether to require monitoring measures to be carried out, and the nature of any such monitoring measures, the Scottish Ministers must consider—

(a) whether monitoring measures are proportionate to the nature, location and size of the project and the significance of its effects on the environment having regard in particular to the type of parameters to be monitored and the duration of the monitoring;

(b) in order to avoid duplication of monitoring, whether monitoring arrangements required under ... other legislation applicable in Scotland are more appropriate; and

(c) if monitoring measures are to be required, whether provision should be made to require appropriate remedial action.

(3) Where the Scottish Ministers consider that it is appropriate to require monitoring measures they must do so.

(4) Where mitigation measures or monitoring measures are required by a condition imposed as part of the decision to proceed with the project the Scottish Ministers must take steps to ensure that those measures are implemented.

(5) In this section “monitoring measures” means measures requiring the monitoring of any significant adverse effects on the environment of the project.

Section 21 Requirement of consent for new roads built other than by roads authority.

(1) A person other than a roads authority who wishes to construct a new road or an extension of an existing road shall before commencing such construction obtain the consent (in this section and in sections 22 and 23 of this Act referred to as “ construction consent ”) thereto of the local roads authority.

(2) An application for construction consent—

(a) shall be in writing in such from as the local roads authority may determine; and

(b) shall by notice be intimated by the applicant to—

(i) the owners of all land which would front, abut or be comprehended in the new road or the extension of the existing road; and

(ii) such other persons, if any, as the authority may, for the purposes of the application, specify..

(3) The local roads authority shall consider any written representations, made to them within 28 days of the date of intimation, by any person to whom an application has been intimated under subsection (2)(b) above, and may thereafter—

(a) subject to subsection (4) below, grant construction consent, either without conditions or subject to such conditions as they think fit; or

(b) refuse construction consent;

and before granting the consent subject to a condition (other than the condition mentioned in subsection (4) below) or refusing consent, the authority shall allow the person applying for the consent an opportunity to be heard by them as regards his application.

(4) It shall be a condition of any construction consent that the construction be completed within such period, being a period of not less than three years from the date on which the consent is given, as the local roads authority may specify in writing in the consent; but the authority may subsequently by notice extend the period so specified.

(5) Without prejudice to section 22(b) of this Act, where a condition imposed by a construction consent has been contravened or not complied with, the local roads authority may, by notice served on the person holding the consent, require him to bring the new road into conformity with the construction consent within such reasonable period as they shall specify in the notice.

(6) An applicant for construction consent may, within 28 days of the date of the intimation to him of a decision of the local roads authority—

(a) refusing his application; or

(b) granting it subject to conditions other than a condition that the construction be completed within 3 years of the date on which the consent was given,

appeal to the Secretary of State in accordance with the procedure prescribed by any regulations under subsection (7) below.

(7) The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe the procedure to be followed in relation to an appeal to him under subsection (6) above, and such regulations may, without prejudice to the foregoing generality, make provision for the determination of any such appeal by a person appointed by the Secretary of State and for the powers and duties of such a person in that regard.

(8) The determination of an appeal under subsection (6) above may allow or dismiss the appeal, may modify any part of the decision of the local roads authority and shall be final.

Section 22 Offences in relation to construction of new roads.

Any person (other than a roads authority)—

(a) who constructs a new road or an extension of an existing road without construction consent; or

(b) who contravenes, or fails to comply with, a condition (other than such condition as is mentioned in section 21(4) of this Act) imposed by a construction consent,

commits an offence, which shall be triable either summarily or on indictment.

Section 22A Offences in relation to construction of new roads.

(1) Any person who, for the purpose of procuring a particular decision in relation to a project to which section 20C applies—

(a) knowingly or recklessly makes a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular,

(b) with intent to deceive, uses any document which is false or misleading in a material particular, or

(c) with intent to deceive, withholds any material information,

commits an offence.

(2) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(3) No act or omission done or suffered by or on behalf of the Crown constitutes an offence under this section.

(4) The Court of Session may, on the application of the Scottish Ministers, the chief constable or any other public body or office-holder having responsibility for enforcing the provision declare unlawful any act or omission of the Crown which would but for subsection (3) have constituted an offence under this section.

(5) Despite subsection (3), this section applies to a person in the public service of the Crown as it applies to other persons.

Section 22B Offences by bodies corporate etc.

(1) Subsection (2) applies where—

(a) an offence under section 22A has been committed by—

(i) a body corporate,

(ii) a Scottish partnership, or

(iii) an unincorporated association other than a Scottish partnership, and

(b) it is proved that the offence was committed with the consent or connivance of, or was attributable to neglect on the part of—

(i) a relevant individual, or

(ii) an individual purporting to act in the capacity of a relevant individual.

(2) The individual (as well as the body corporate, partnership or (as the case may be) association) commits the offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(3) In subsection (1), “relevant individual” means—

(a) in relation to a body corporate (other than a limited liability partnership)—

(i) a director, manager, secretary or similar officer of the body,

(ii) where the affairs of the body are managed by its members, a member,

(b) in relation to a limited liability partnership, a member;

(c) in relation to a Scottish partnership, a partner;

(d) in relation to an unincorporated association other than a Scottish partnership, an individual who is concerned in the management or control of the association.

Section 23 Power to stop up or temporarily close new road where construction consent absent or not conformed with.

(1) The local roads authority may stop up or temporarily close any new road which another person (other than a roads authority) has constructed—

(a) without construction consent; or

(b) in contravention of, or non-compliance with, a condition imposed by a construction consent.

(2) Stopping up or temporary closure under subsection (1) above may take place whether or not proceedings are pending under section 22 of this Act but shall be ended if, in any such proceedings, it is found—

(a) in a case where the stopping up or closure took place on the basis that there was no construction consent, that there was such consent; or

(b) in any other case, that there was no contravention of, or failure to comply with, the construction consent condition to which the proceedings relate.

Section 24 Alteration of levels of public roads.

Subject to any order under section 9 or 12 of this Act, the roads authority may raise or lower or otherwise alter, as they think fit, the level of a public road.

Section 25 Provision of footways.

A roads authority shall provide, wherever it appears to them necessary or desirable for the safety or convenience of pedestrians so to do, proper and sufficient footways for public roads.

Section 26 Pedestrian subways and footbridges.

The roads authority may, for the purpose of making the crossing of a public road less dangerous for pedestrians or of protecting traffic along the road from danger, construct, light, and maintain subways under, or footbridges over, the road for the use of pedestrians.

Section 27 Dual carriageways, roundabouts and refuges.

The roads authority may construct and maintain works in the carriageway of a public road—

(a) along any length of the road for separating a part which is to be used by traffic moving in one direction from a part which is to be used (whether at all times or at particular times only) by traffic moving in the other;

(b) at junctions of the road for regulating the movement of traffic; or

(c) for providing places of refuge for the protection of pedestrians crossing the road.

Section 28 Fences etc. to safeguard persons using public roads.

The roads authority may, for the purpose of safeguarding persons using a public road, provide and maintain such raised paving, pillars, walls, rails, fences or barriers as they think necessary at any of the following places—

(a) between any of the following and any other of the following—

(i) a footway;

(ii) a footpath;

(iii) a cycle track;

(iv) a carriageway,

(b) along a cycle track so as to segregate classes of users thereof,

(c) where a footpath gives direct access to the road on the footpath at or near the point of access, or

(d) along the sides of bridges, embankments or other dangerous parts of the road.

Section 29 Further provision as to fences.

(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, the roads authority may erect and maintain—

(a) fences or posts for the purpose of preventing access to a road or proposed road; and

(b) fences, posts, stones or other markers for the purpose of delimiting the road or proposed road.

(2) The powers conferred by subsection (1) above shall not be exercised so as to—

(a) interfere with a fence or gate required for the purposes of agriculture;

(b) obstruct a public right of way;

(c) obstruct a means of access for the construction, formation or laying out of which planning permission has been granted under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 (general planning control) or under any enactment replaced by the said Part III; or

(d) obstruct any means of access which was constructed, formed or laid out before 1st July 1948, unless it was so constructed, formed or laid out in contravention of restrictions in force under section 1 or 2 of the Restriction of Ribbon Development Act 1935.

Section 30 Works for protecting roads against hazards of nature.

Without prejudice to section 28 of this Act, but subject to section 31 thereof, the roads authority may, for the purpose of protecting a public road or proposed public road against snow, flood, landslide or other hazards of nature, provide and maintain such barriers or other works as they consider necessary.

Section 31 Drainage of roads.

(1) The roads authority may, for the purpose of draining a public road or proposed public road or of otherwise preventing surface water from flowing onto it—

(a) construct or lay, in it or in land adjoining or lying near to it, such drains as they consider necessary;

(b) erect and maintain barriers in it or in such land as aforesaid to divert surface water into or through any existing drain;

(c) scour, cleanse and keep open all drains in it or in such land as aforesaid;

(d) drain surface water from it into any inland waters (whether natural or artificial) or tidal waters.

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1)(c) above, where any drain referred to therein was constructed or laid by the roads authority, they shall scour, cleanse and keep it open.

(3) Before carrying out any works under this section, the roads authority shall serve on the owner and the occupier of the land affected notice of the intention to do so, describing the proposed works, and informing them that they may object to the proposed works by notice to the authority within 28 days of service of the notice.

(4) Where an owner or occupier of the land affected objects in accordance with subsection (3) above to the proposed works and the objection is not withdrawn, then—

(a) if the roads authority is the Secretary of State, he shall not carry out the proposed works without having considered the objection; and

(b) if the roads authority is a local roads authority, they shall not carry out the proposed works without the consent of the Secretary of State who may grant such consent either unconditionally or subject to such terms and conditions as he thinks fit and whose decision shall be final.

(5) If a person, without the consent of the roads authority, alters, obstructs or interferes with any drain or barrier which has been constructed, laid or erected by the authority in exercise of their functions under subsection (1) above or which is under their control, then—

(a) the authority may carry out any work of repair or reinstatement necessitated by his action and may recover from him the expenses reasonably incurred by them in so doing, and

(b) without prejudice to their right to exercise that power, he commits an offence.

(6) In the foregoing provisions of this section, except where the context otherwise requires, “ drain ” includes a ditch, gutter, watercourse, bridge, culvert, tunnel, pipe or holding pond and any pumping machinery associated with any of those things.

Section 32 Contributions to drainage works and flood prevention operations.

Where it appears to the roads authority that the execution of any drainage works under the Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1958 or flood protection work under section 56 of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (asp 6) is desirable for the protection or enjoyment of a public road or proposed public road they may make such contributions as they think fit towards any expenses incurred in the execution and maintenance of those works.

Section 33 Snow gates.

(1) Gates (hereafter in this section referred to as “ snow gates ”) may be provided and maintained by the roads authority for the purpose of temporarily closing a road to vehicular traffic on any occasion when snow is rendering or has rendered that road unsafe for such traffic; and where in the opinion of a constable such an occasion has arisen as respects a road he (or, where the constable is a chief constable, a person acting on his behalf) may, until the road is once again safe for vehicular traffic, close and secure any snow gate on the road against all such traffic except that engaged in the provision or restoration of essential services.

(2) In subsection (1) above—

“ constable ” and “ chief constable ” shall be construed in accordance with section 99 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8) ;

“ engaged in the provision or restoration of essential services ” means in the opinion of a constable so engaged; and

“ safe ” means in such opinion safe.

Section 34 Clearance of snow and ice.

A roads authority shall take such steps as they consider reasonable to prevent snow and ice endangering the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles over public roads.

Section 35 Provision of lighting by roads authorities.

(1) A local roads authority shall provide and maintain lighting for roads, or proposed roads, which are, or will be, maintainable by them and which in their opinion ought to be lit.

(2) In subsection (1) above, the reference to roads, or proposed roads, which will be maintainable by the local roads authority does not include a reference to—

(a) an existing road which is a prospective public road within the meaning of the Part IV of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 ;

(b) a new road in course of construction, or to be constructed, other than by or on behalf of the authority; or

(c) a road which would be maintainable by them only if application were made to them under section 16(1) of this Act.

(3) The Secretary of State may provide and maintain lighting for roads, or proposed roads, which are, or will be, maintainable by him.

(4) A local roads authority may, within their area, provide and maintain lighting for any road, or proposed road, which in their opinion ought to be lit and as regards which no duty is imposed on them by subsection (1) above.

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of this section and after giving 28 days notice to the owner or occupier of any land affected, a roads authority may, in acting under subsection (1), (3) or (4) above, fix to rails, walls or buildings fronting or abutting the road or proposed road, such lamps and related structures as they consider requisite.

(6) No compensation shall be payable by a roads authority by reason only of—

(a) the maintenance of lighting under subsection (1), (3) or (4) above; and

(b) such fixing as is mentioned in subsection (5) above.

(7) A person upon whom a notice has been served under subsection (5) above may within 28 days of such service refer the matter by summary application to the sheriff; and the decision of the sheriff on the matter shall be final.