Section 1 Dangerous places on canals to be protected.

If in the opinion of any local authority any part of a canal within the jurisdiction of that local authority, or the bank or towing-path thereof, is so insufficiently protected at any place where it abuts upon any public highway existing at the time of the passing of this Act as to involve danger to human life, such local authority may by notice in writing require the canal company to erect and maintain such fences, gates, turnstiles, or rails on any part of the bank or towing-path, or on adjacent property of the canal company, as may, in the opinion of the local authority, be required to obviate such danger: Provided that no fences, gates, turnstiles, or rails shall be required to be erected which would be between the waterway of the canal and the towing-path thereof, or which would otherwise interfere with the free passage of traffic along the canal or towing-path.