(1) Subject to the provisions of this article, the Company may, on such date as the directors may by resolution determine, abandon and discontinue the dock and the Company may —
(a) use for the general purposes of the harbour the site of the dock and, if they think fit, fill it in in whole or in part; or
(b) exercise with reference to the dock the powers exercisable by them with reference to surplus lands.
(2) Within one month of the passing of a resolution of the directors under paragraph (1) of this article, the Company shall give notice of the effect of the resolution by advertisement in such local newspaper as they may deem expedient for causing the resolution to be made known to persons affected thereby.
(3) If such a resolution is passed the Company shall have regard to the need to provide for the possible future resumption of cargo handling in exercising their rights over their lands adjacent to the unclosed portion of Dock No. 9 and to Salford Quay.