§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to confer upon highway authorities the power to issue stop notices in respect of development projects where public rights of way have been rendered unusable as a consequence of works being started in the absence of lawful authority being secured either to stop up or divert the right of way.
§ Mr. PortilloThis is not necessary. Highway authorities already have powers under section 143 of the Highways Act 1980 to secure the removal of unauthorised structures from highways. A grant of planning permission for such a structure is not of itself such an authorisation.