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Highways Act 1980, Introductory Text is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 18 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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An Act to consolidate the Highways Acts 1959 to 1971 and related enactments, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.
[13th November 1980]
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Act: definition of "carriageway" applied (1.1.1963) by Pipelines Act 1962 (c. 58, SIF 102), ss. 15(10), 70(3); S.I. 1963/2790, art. 1
Act: definitions ("highway authority", "local highway authority", "special road", "special road authority" and "traffic") applied (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 26(1)(with ss. 25(2), 167(2)); S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.
Act: definitions ("highway" and "highway authority") applied (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 219(1), 223(2) (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 222(1), Sch. 13 para. 1, Sch. 14 para. 6)
Act: definitions ("bridleway" and "footpath") applied (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 167, 223(2), Sch. 11 para. 10 (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 222(1), Sch. 13 para. 1, Sch. 14 para. 6)
Act: definitions applied (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 183, 223(2), Sch. 13 para. 3(1) (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 222(1), Sch. 13 para. 1, Sch. 14 para. 6)
Act: definition of "highway" applied (1.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 221(1), 225(2) (with ss. 16(6), 179, 222(3), 224(1), 225(4), Sch. 22 para. 1)
Act: definitions ("bridleway" and "footpath") applied (1.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 168, 225(2), Sch. 19 para. 10 (with ss. 16(6), 179, 222(3), 224(1), 225(4), Sch. 22 para. 1)
Act: definitions applied (1.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 178, 225(2), Sch. 22 para. 3(1) (with ss. 16(6), 179, 222(3), 224(1), 225(4), Sch. 22 para. 1)
Act: definitions ("highway authority" and "local highway authority") applied (14.7.1992) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 86(1) (with s. 167(4)(5)); S.I. 1992/1686, art. 3, Sch.
Act: definitions ("carriageway" and "footway") applied (14.7.1992) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 105(1) (with s. 167(4)(5)); S.I. 1992/1686, art. 3, Sch.
C2Act: functions of Minister of Transport (except those exercisable jointly with Secretary of State under ss. 258, 300(2), Sch. 1 paras. 7, 8, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21) now exercisable by Secretary of State by S.I. 1981/238, arts. 2(2), 3(2)(3)
Act: certain functions made exercisable as specified (25.7.1995) by S.I. 1995/1986, art. 2, Sch. 1 (which affecting provisions were revoked (24.3.2009) by S.I. 2009/721, art. 4(1)(2) (subject to art. 4(3)(4))
Act: powers transferred (1.7.1999) (subject to the specified exceptions in the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch.
C3Act extended by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 2(1)(xl), Sch. 8 para. 33
Act extended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), ss. 112(1)(3), Sch. 16 para. 2(4)(d)(6)(9), Sch. 17 paras. 33, 35(1)
Act extended by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)-(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 25 para. 1(2)(xxv)(8), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58
Act extended (10.11.1993) by 1993 c. 28, s. 172(5); S.I. 1993/2762, art. 3
C4Act amended (prosp. in part) by Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8, SIF 123:1), ss. 27, 28 (1)(2)
Act amended by Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8, SIF 123:1), s. 54(1)
Act amended (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 2(1)(xxix); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2
Act amended (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 2(6); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2
Act amended (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/593, reg. 2, Sch. 1
C5Act: power to exclude conferred by Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8, SIF 123:1), s. 61(3)(b)
Act: power to apply conferred by Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8, SIF 123:1), s. 247(3)
C6Act restricted (1.10.1991) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 60(1); S.I. 1991/2054, art. 3
C7Act applied (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 1(2); S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.
C8Act modified by Channel Tunnel Act 1987 (c. 53, SIF 102), s. 35, Sch. 4 paras. 7(1), 10(1)
Act modified by Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988 (c. 20, SIF 59), ss. 3, 19, Sch. 3 para. 9
Act modified by Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8, SIF 123:1), ss. 28, 54, Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 1(2), Pt. III para. 2
Act modified (10.2.1992) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 123:1), s. 27, Sch. 4 Pt. III para. 44(9) (with s. 84(5)); S.I. 1991/2095, art. 4
Act modified (13.2.1992) by the Severn Bridges Act 1992 (c. 3), s. 3, Sch. 3 para. 5(3)
Act modified (1.4.1996) by 1990 c. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. IA (inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 20(3), Sch. 5 Pt. II para. 8 (with s. 54(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/3198, art. 4, Sch. 2)
Act modified (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 44, Sch. 12 Pt. III para. 8(1)
Act modified (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 44, Sch. 12 Pt. III para. 11
Act modified (28.9.2004 for E. and 15.10.2003 for W.) by Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5), s. 38 (with s. 111); S.I. 2004/2202, art. 2(c) (subject to art. 4); S.I. 2005/2847, art. 2(a) (subject to art. 3)
C9Act excluded (26.8.2005) by The River Tyne (Tunnels) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2222), art. 10(6) (with arts. 45(1), 48, Sch. 10 paras. 21, 29)
Act excluded (26.8.2005) by The River Tyne (Tunnels) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2222), art. 37(1) (with arts. 45(1), 48, Sch. 10 paras. 21, 29)
C10Act: certain functions made exercisable as specified (24.3.2009) by The Contracting Out (Highway Functions) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/721), art. 3, Sch. 1
C11Act: power to amend conferred (1.10.2010) by Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (c. 29), ss. 28, 49(3) (with s. 49(1)(6)); S.I. 2010/2169, art. 4, Sch.
C12Act excluded (1.2.2011) by The River Mersey (Mersey Gateway Bridge) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/41), arts. 1, 11(3) (with arts. 3(5), 51, Sch. 10 paras. 68, 85)
C13Act: transfer of functions (2.7.2012) by The British Waterways Board (Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1659), art. 2, Sch. 1 (with arts. 4-6)
C14Act applied (with modifications) (18.2.2014) by London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2013 (c. v), s. 6
C15Act functions made exercisable as specified (E.) (1.4.2015) by The Delegation of Functions (Strategic Highways Companies) (England) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/378), regs. 1(1), 3, Sch. 1 para. 1
Commencement Information
I1Act not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 345(2); Act wholly in force at 1.1.1981
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