17.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) to (4), if as the result of the authorised development or its construction, or of any subsidence resulting from any of those works—
(a)any damage is caused to any electronic communications apparatus belonging to an operator (other than apparatus the repair of which is not reasonably necessary in view of its intended removal for the purposes of those works), or other property of an operator; or
(b)there is any interruption in the supply of the service provided by an operator,
the undertaker must bear and pay the cost reasonably incurred by the operator in making good such damage or restoring the supply and make reasonable compensation to that operator for any other expenses, loss, damages, penalty or costs incurred by it, by reason, or in consequence of, any such damage or interruption.
(2) Nothing in sub-paragraph (1) imposes any liability on the undertaker with respect to any damage or interruption to the extent that it is attributable to the act, neglect or default of an operator, its officers, servants, contractors or agents.
(3) The operator must give the undertaker reasonable notice of any such claim or demand and no settlement or compromise of the claim or demand is to be made without the consent of the undertaker who, if withholding such consent, has the sole conduct of any settlement or compromise or of any proceedings necessary to resist the claim or demand.
(4) Any difference arising between the undertaker and the operator under this Part of this Schedule must be referred to and settled by arbitration under article 43 (arbitration).
(5) This Part of this Schedule does not apply to—
(a)any apparatus in respect of which the relations between the undertaker and an operator are regulated by the provisions of Part 3 of the 1991 Act; or
(b)any damages, or any interruptions, caused by electro-magnetic interference arising from the construction or use of the authorised development.
(6) Nothing in this Part of this Schedule affects the provisions of any enactment or agreement regulating the relations between the undertaker and an operator in respect of any apparatus laid or erected in land belonging to the undertaker on the date on which this Order is made.