A local authority may enter into an agreement with any person having the necessary power in that behalf for the dedication by that person of a footpath F5, bridleway or restricted byway over land in their area.

An agreement under this section is referred to in this Act as a “public path creation agreement”.

Before entering into an agreement under this section a local authority shall consult any other local authority or authorities in whose area the land concerned is situated.

An agreement under this section shall be on such terms as to payment or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement and may, if it is so agreed, provide for the dedication of the footpath F5, bridleway or restricted byway subject to limitations or conditions affecting the public right of way over it.

Where a public path creation agreement has been made it shall be the duty of the local authority who are a party to it to take all necessary steps for securing that the footpath F5, bridleway or restricted byway is dedicated in accordance with it.

As soon as may be after the dedication of a footpath F5, bridleway or restricted byway in accordance with a public path creation agreement, the local authority who are party to the agreement shall give notice of the dedication by publication in at least one local newspaper circulating in the area in which the land to which the agreement relates is situated.