Highways Act 1980

9 (1) If no objection is duly made by any person who will be affected by the proposed works, or if all objections so made are withdrawn, the Minister, on being satisfied that the proper notices have been published and served, may, if he thinks fit, make the order with or without modifications.

(2) If an objection duly made as aforesaid is not withdrawn, the Minister shall, before making the order, either cause a local inquiry to be held or afford to any person by whom any objection has been duly made as aforesaid and not withdrawn an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by the Minister for the purpose and, after considering the objection and the report of the person who held the inquiry or the person appointed as aforesaid, may make the order either with or without modifications.

(3) If any person by whom an objection has been made avails himself of the opportunity of being heard, the Minister shall afford to the local highway authority, or to the owners of a bridge, by whom the proposed works are to be executed or constructed, and to any other person to whom it appears to him expedient to afford it, an opportunity of being heard on the same occasion.

(4) Notwithstanding anything in sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) above, the Minister may require any person who has made an objection to state in writing the grounds of it