Highways Act 1980

147 Power to authorise erection of stiles etc. on footpath or bridleway. E+W

(1) The following provisions of this section apply where the owner, lessee or occupier of agricultural land, or of land which is being brought into use for agriculture, represents to a competent authority, as respects a footpath or bridleway that crosses the land, that for securing that the use, or any particular use, of the land for agriculture shall be efficiently carried on, it is expedient that stiles, gates or other works for preventing the ingress or egress of animals should be erected on the path or way.

For the purposes of this section the following are competent authorities—

(a) in the case of a footpath or bridleway which is for the time being maintained by a [F1 non-metropolitan] district council by virtue of section 42 or 50 above, that council and also the highway authority, and

(b) in the case of any other footpath or bridleway, the highway authority.

(2) Where such a representation is made the authority to whom it is made may, subject to such conditions as they may impose for maintenance and for enabling the right of way to be exercised without undue inconvenience to the public, authorise the erection of the stiles, gates or other works.

[F2 (2A) In exercising their powers under subsection (2) above a competent authority shall have regard to the needs of persons with mobility problems.

(2B) The Secretary of State may issue guidance to competent authorities as to matters to be taken into account for the purposes of subsection (2) above; and in exercising their powers under subsection (2) above competent authorities shall have regard to any such guidance issued to them.]

(3) Where an authorisation in respect of a footpath or bridleway is granted under this section the public right of way is to be deemed to be subject to a condition that the stiles, gates or works may be erected and maintained in accordance with the authorisation and so long as the conditions attached to it are complied with.

(4) For the purposes of section 143 above, any stile, gate or works erected in pursuance of an authorisation under this section is to be deemed to be erected under this section only if the provisions of the authorisation and any conditions attached to it are complied with.

(5) In this section references to agricultural land and to land being brought into use for agriculture include references to land used or, as the case may be, land being brought into use, for forestry [F3 or for the breeding or keeping of horses.]

(6) Nothing in this section prejudices any limitation or condition having effect apart from this section.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word inserted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 8, Sch. 4 para. 25

F2 S. 147(2A)(2B) inserted (6.12.2006 for W. for certain purposes, 1.4.2007 for W. in so far as not already in force, 1.10.2007 for E.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 69(1), 103(3); S.I. 2006/3257, arts. 2(b), 3; S.I. 2007/2595, art. 2

F3 Words in s. 147(5) inserted (27.9.2005 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, s. 69(2); S.I. 2005/2459, art. 2(1)(d); S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2(m)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 147: functions of local authority not to be responsibility of an executive of the authority (E.) (16.11.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/2853, reg. 2(1), Sch. 1