The Northumberland Line Order 2022

29.—(1) The Council must, before commencing construction of any specified work, supply to Nexus proper and sufficient plans of that work for the reasonable approval of the engineer and the specified work must not be commenced except in accordance with such plans as have been approved in writing by the engineer or settled by arbitration under article 366 (arbitration).

(2) The approval of the engineer under sub-paragraph (1) must not be unreasonably withheld, and if by the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which such plans have been supplied to Nexus the engineer has not intimated disapproval of those plans and the grounds of disapproval the Council may serve upon the engineer written notice requiring the engineer to intimate approval or disapproval within a further period of 28 days beginning with the date upon which the engineer receives written notice from the Council. If by the expiry of the further 28 days the engineer has not intimated approval or disapproval, the engineer is deemed to have approved the plans as submitted.

(3) If by the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which written notice was served upon the engineer under sub-paragraph (2), Nexus gives notice to the Council that Nexus desires itself to construct any part of a specified work which in the opinion of the engineer will or may affect the stability of railway property or the safe operation of traffic on the railways of Nexus then, if the Council desires such part of the specified work to be constructed, Nexus must construct it without unnecessary delay on behalf of and to the reasonable satisfaction of the Council in accordance with the plans approved or deemed to be approved or settled under this paragraph, and under the supervision (where appropriate and if given) of the Council.

(4) When signifying approval of the plans the engineer may specify any protective works (whether temporary or permanent) which in the engineer’s opinion should be carried out before the commencement of the construction of a specified work to ensure the safety or stability of railway property or the continuation of safe and efficient operation of the railways of Nexus or the services of operators using the same (including any relocation de-commissioning and removal of works, apparatus and equipment necessitated by a specified work and the comfort and safety of passengers who may be affected by the specified works), and such protective works as may be reasonably necessary for those purposes must be constructed by Nexus or by the Council, if Nexus so desires, and such protective works must be carried out at the expense of the Council in either case without unnecessary delay and the Council must not commence the construction of the specified works until the engineer has notified the Council that the protective works have been completed to the engineer’s reasonable satisfaction.