Article 13 Provisions relating to operation of bridges

The Council shall open the bridges in accordance with the following provisions of this article for the purpose of facilitating navigation over the Back Water Channel.

The bridges shall be opened by the Council on such occasions and for such period on each such occasion as may be specified in a programme which the Council shall determine from time to time in consultation with the Board.

When determining the programme of openings required by paragraph (2) the Council shall allow for the reasonable requirements of vessels navigating, or seeking to navigate, over the Back Water Channel.

Subject to paragraph (5), the Council shall also open the bridges on the date and at the time specified in a notice (whether written or not) given by the operator of any vessel over 40 metres in length which is to pass beneath the bridges, if that notice is given at least 24 hours before the day and time specified in that notice and in accordance with the requirements for giving such a notice specified in the arrangements published pursuant to paragraph (8).

Where notice has been given pursuant to paragraph (4), the Council may delay the time at which the bridges are to be opened for up to half an hour after the time specified in that notice, if the Council is of the reasonable opinion that opening the bridges at the time specified in the notice would interfere unreasonably with the passage of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users over the bridges and if the Council has on forming that opinion forthwith notified the operator of the vessel in question of the time at which the bridges will be opened.

The requirement in paragraph (4) to give at least 24 hours' notice shall not apply where, in the case of an emergency, it is necessary for a vessel to navigate beneath the bridges; but in such a case the master of the vessel shall give such notice as is practicable and paragraph (5) shall not apply.

Notwithstanding paragraph (4), the harbour master may at any time instruct the Council to open the bridges in stress of weather conditions, or in an emergency, or if in the reasonable opinion of the harbour master the opening of the bridges is required to preserve safe navigation within the Back Water Channel.

The Council shall publish in notices displayed in a prominent position at each end of each of the bridges, and in such other positions as the Council deems advisable in order to attract the attention of those operating vessels and vehicles and of pedestrians, cyclists and other road users using the bridges, the arrangements made from time to time in relation to the opening of the bridges, including—