53(1)All such highways or proposed highways as immediately before the abolition date are metropolitan roads shall on that date cease to be metropolitan roads but, subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, shall continue to be principal roads for the purposes of any enactment or instrument which refers to roads or highways classified by the Secretary of State or the Minister of Transport as principal roads.
(2)The Secretary of State may by order direct that a highway or proposed highway which immediately before the abolition date is a metropolitan road shall on that date become a trunk road.