Article 20 Power to acquire new rights

Network Rail may acquire compulsorily such easements or other rights over any land referred to in paragraphs 1(a) or (b) of article 17 (power to acquire land) as may be required for any purpose for which that land may be acquired under that provision, by creating them as well as by acquiring easements or other rights already in existence.

Network Rail may impose restrictive covenants affecting any land referred to in article 21(1) (cases where powers of acquisition limited to ground anchor rights) as may be required for the purposes referred to in article 21(6).

In the case of the land specified in Schedule 7 (acquisition of new rights only) Network Rail’s powers of compulsory acquisition are limited to the acquisition of such new rights as may be required for the purpose specified in relation to that land in column (3) of that Schedule.

Subject to Schedule 2A (counter-notice requiring purchase of land) to the 1965 Act (as substituted by paragraph 5(8) of Schedule 6 (modification of compensation and compulsory purchase enactments for creation or imposition of new rights)) where Network Rail acquires a right over land or the benefit of a restrictive covenant under paragraph (1), paragraph (3), article 21(2) or article 21(6) Network Rail is not required to acquire a greater interest in that land.

Schedule 6 has effect for the purpose of modifying the enactments relating to compensation and the provisions of the 1965 Act in their application in relation to the compulsory acquisition under this article or article 21(2) of a right over land by the creation of a new right or the imposition of a restrictive covenant under article 21(6).

In any case where the acquisition of new rights under paragraph (1) is required for the purpose of diverting, replacing or protecting apparatus of an undertaker Network Rail may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, transfer the power to acquire such rights to the undertaker in question.

The exercise by an undertaker of any power in accordance with a transfer under paragraph (6) is subject to the same restrictions, liabilities and obligations as would apply under this Order if that power were exercised by Network Rail.

In paragraphs (6) and (7) “undertaker” means—