6Sea-defence functions of Council
(1)Notwithstanding the repeal by section 7 (Repeals) of this Act of parts of section 32 of the [1884 c. cclv.] Bristol Dock Act 1884, but subject to the following provisions of this section, on and from the appointed day sections 41 to 44, 48 and 49 of the 1871 Act (which contain various powers and duties in respect of sea defences at Portishead) shall continue to apply in relation to the Council as those sections applied immediately before that day.
(2)After consulting with the Sea Wall Commissioners the Council may by agreement with a relevant authority transfer to that authority—
(a)the powers and duties of the Council under section 41 (except for so much of the proviso as relates to the submission to, and approval of, plans by the Sea Wall Commissioners) and section 42 of the 1871 Act; and
(b)the sea walls owned by the Council which were vested in the Bristol and Portishead Pier and Railway Company under any of the Portishead Docks Acts or constructed under any such Act;
upon such terms as may be agreed between the Council and the relevant authority concerned.
(3)Where responsibility for the maintenance of those sea walls is transferred under this section—
(a)the following provisions of the 1871 Act shall cease to have effect:—
(i)so much of the proviso to section 41 as relates to the submission to, and approval of, plans by the Sea Wall Commissioners; and
(ii)sections 43, 44 and 47 to 50; and
(b)no person shall thereafter be eligible to be a Sea Wall Commissioner or be liable to pay any sum to or at the direction of the Sea Wall Commissioners by reason only of his interest in or occupation of any land within the Portishead Docks estate.
(4)In this section—
“the 1871 Act” means the [1871 c. cxlii.] Portishead Docks Act 1871;
“relevant authority” means any public authority for the time being having statutory functions in respect of sea or river defences for any area which includes the lands comprised in the Portishead Docks estate;
“the Sea Wall Commissioners” has the same meaning as in the 1871 Act.