Highways Act 1980

293 Powers of entry for purposes connected with certain orders relating to footpaths and bridleways. E+W

(1) A person duly authorised in writing by the Secretary of State or other authority having power under this Act to make a public path creation order, a public path extinguishment order [F1 , a rail crossing extinguishment order, [F2 a special extinguishment order] a public path diversion order [F3 , a rail crossing diversion order, a special diversion order or an SSSI diversion order]] may enter upon any land for the purpose of surveying it in connection with the making of the order.

(2) For the purpose of surveying land, or of estimating its value, in connection with a claim for compensation payable by an authority in respect of that or any other land under section 28 above, or under that section as applied by section 121(2) above, a person who is an officer of the Valuation Office or who has been duly authorised in writing by the authority from whom the compensation is claimed may enter upon the land.

(3) A person authorised under this section to enter upon any land shall, if so required, produce evidence of his authority before entering; and a person shall not under this section demand admission as of right to any land which is occupied unless at least 7 days’ notice in writing of the intended entry has been given to the occupier.

(4) A person who wilfully obstructs a person acting in the exercise of his powers under this section is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding [F4 level 3 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 293(1) substituted (31.1.1993) by Transport and Works Act 1992 (c. 42), s. 47, Sch. 2, para. 7; S.I. 1992/3144, art. 3, Sch.

F2 Words in s. 293(1) inserted (12.2.2003 for E., 15.7.2005 for W. for certain purposes and otherwise prosp.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 57, 103(3), Sch. 6 Pt. I para. 17(a); S.I. 2003/272, art. 2(a)(k)(i); S.I. 2005/1314, art. 3(d)(iii)

F3 Words in s. 293(1) substituted (12.2.2003 for E. for certain purposes and 21.5.2007 in so far as not already in force, 15.7.2005 for W. for certain purposes and otherwise prosp.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 57, 103(3), Sch. 6 Pt. I para. 17(b); S.I. 2003/272, art. 2(a)(k)(ii); S.I. 2005/1314, art. 3(d)(iii); S.I. 2007/1493, art. 2

F4 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46