PART 4MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL
Defence to proceedings in respect of statutory nuisance22.
(1)
Where proceedings are brought under section 82(1) (summary proceedings by person aggrieved by statutory nuisances) of the Environmental Protection Act 199041 in relation to a nuisance falling within paragraph (g) of section 79(1)42 (noise emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance) of that Act, no order is to be made, and no fine may be imposed, under section 82(2) of that Act if the defendant shows—
(a)
that the nuisance relates to premises used by Network Rail for the purposes of or in connection with the exercise of the powers conferred by this Order with respect to authorised works and that the nuisance is attributable to the carrying out of authorised works which are being carried out in accordance with a notice served under section 60 (control of noise on construction sites) or a consent given under section 6143 (prior consent for work on construction sites) of the Control of Pollution Act 197444; or
(b)
that the nuisance is a consequence of the operation of the authorised works and that it cannot reasonably be avoided.
(2)
Section 61(9) (consent for work on construction site to include statement that it does not of itself constitute a defence to proceedings under section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990) of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 does not apply where the consent relates to the use of premises by Network Rail for the purposes of or in connection with the exercise of the powers conferred by this Order with respect to works.
(3)
The provisions of this article do not affect the application to the authorised works of section 122 (statutory authority as a defence to actions in nuisance, etc.) of the Railways Act 199345 or any rule of common law having similar effect.