(1)Where proposals relating to a long-distance route have been approved by the Minister under section fifty-two of this Act, [F1Natural England] may from time to time prepare and submit to the Minister a report proposing any such variation of the approved proposals as [F1Natural England] may think fit.

(2)Where, as respects any proposals approved as aforesaid, it appears to the Minister, after consultation with [F2Natural England], expedient that the proposals should be varied in any respect and [F2Natural England] have not submitted to the Minister a report proposing that variation, the Minister may direct that the proposals shall be so varied.

(3)Subsection (4) of section fifty-one of this Act, and subsections (1) and (2) of section fifty-two thereof, shall with the necessary modifications apply to a report or direction under this section; and subsection (5) of the said section fifty-one shall with the necessary modifications apply to any such report.

(4)Where the Minister approves, with or without modifications, any proposals contained in a report under subsection (1) of this section, or gives a direction under subsection (2) of this section, the proposals for the variation of which the report was made or direction given shall thereafter have effect subject to the provisions of the report or direction; and references in this Act to approved proposals relating to a long-distance route shall be construed accordingly.