Felling or lopping of treesE+W
31.—(1) The undertaker may fell or lop any tree or shrub near any part of the authorised development, or cut back its roots, if it reasonably believes it to be necessary to do so to prevent the tree or shrub from—
(a)obstructing or interfering with the construction, maintenance or operation of the authorised development or any apparatus used in connection with the authorised development; or
(b)constituting a danger to persons using the authorised development.
(2) In carrying out any activity authorised by paragraph (1), the undertaker must do no unnecessary damage to any tree or shrub and must pay compensation to any person for any loss or damage arising from such activity.
(3) Any dispute as to a person's entitlement to compensation under paragraph (2), or as to the amount of compensation, is to be determined under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.
(4) The undertaker may not pursuant to paragraph (1) fell or lop a tree within the extent of the publicly maintainable highway without the consent of the highway authority.
(5) Save in the case of emergency, the undertaker must not less than fourteen days before entering any land pursuant to paragraph (1) serve notice of the intended entry on the owners and occupiers and, where the land is highway maintainable at the public expense, on the highway authority.