Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

5 (1) In subsection (1) of section 119 of the Highways Act 1980 (diversion of footpaths and bridleways) for the words from the beginning to “or on to land” there shall be substituted the words “Where it appears to a council as respects a footpath or bridleway in their area (other than one that is a trunk road or a special road) that, in the interests of the owner, lessee or occupier of land crossed by the path or way or of the public, it is expedient that the line of the path or way, or part of that line, should be diverted (whether on to land of the same or”. E+W+S

(2) In subsection (5) of that section for the words “the council may require the owner, lessee or occupier on whose representations they are acting” there sball be substituted the words “on the representations of an owner, lessee or occupier of land crossed by the path or way, the council may require him”.