This section has effect for conferring functions in relation to main rivers on the appropriate agency which are functions of drainage boards in relation to other watercourses.
Notwithstanding subsection (3) of section 21 of the Land Drainage Act 1991 (power to secure compliance with drainage obligations), the powers of the appropriate agency in relation to a main river shall, by virtue of this section, include the powers which under that section are exercisable otherwise than in relation to a main river by the drainage board concerned; and the provisions of that section shall have effect accordingly.
The powers of the appropriate agency in relation to a main river shall, by virtue of this section, include the powers which under section 25 of the Land Drainage Act 1991 (powers for securing the maintenance of flow of watercourses) are exercisable in relation to an ordinary watercourse by the drainage board concerned; and the provisions of that section and section 27 of that Act shall have effect accordingly.
Sections 33 and 34 of the Land Drainage Act 1991 (commutation of obligations) shall have effect where—
as they have effect in relation to an obligation to do work otherwise than in connection with a main river but as if the appropriate agency were under a duty to take steps to commute the obligation and the references in those sections to the drainage board for the internal drainage district where the works fall to be done were omitted.
In this section—
The functions of the appropriate agency by virtue of this section are in addition to the functions of the appropriate agency which by virtue of the provisions of the Land Drainage Act 1991 are exercisable by the appropriate agency concurrently with an internal drainage board.