Section 18: Measures for safety, protection, guidance and assistance

This section allows local authorities in relation to inland waters, over which access rights are excisable, to provide staff for life saving and any boat or equipment which would be appropriate for this.

Subsection (2) permits local authorities to take such steps, (such as putting up and maintaining a notice or fence), to warn and protect the public against any foreseen danger on any land over which access rights are excisable and to indicate recommended routes and/or footpaths and to direct the public to these routes or footpaths.

Subsection (3) permits local authorities, over land in respect of which the access rights are excisable, to erect gates, stiles, or other means of facilitating access, and other specified facilities, or to contribute towards these facilities for the comfort and convenience of the public.

Subsection (4) places a duty on local authorities to have regard to people with disabilities while exercising the powers under this section.

Subsection (5) clarifies that local authorities can only carry out such work under the provisions of this section with the permission of the landowner.

Section 19: Acquisition by local authority of land to enable or facilitate exercise of access rights

This section gives local authorities powers to purchase land, whether by agreement, or with the consent of the Ministers, compulsorily. This power applies only where it appears to the authority that it is necessary or expedient to do so in order to facilitate or to enable the exercise of access rights on that piece of land. Subsection (2) clarifies which land this power does not extend to.

Subsection (3) requires the local authority to hold and manage any land acquired under subsection (1), in a way that best facilitates the exercise of access rights.

Subsection (4) confirms that any land purchased by the local authorities under this section are subject to the rules on compulsory purchase laid down in the Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947.