North Wales Hydro-Electric Power Act 1955. The North Wales Hydro-Electric Power Act 1955 (4 & 5 Eliz. 2. c. xxv) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which gave powers to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to build the hydro-electric stations at Ffestiniog and Rheidol in North Wales and associated purposes.

Background 
The Central Electricity Authority had a statutory duty to develop and maintain an electricity supply in England and Wales. In order to meet increasing demand for electricity there was a need to construct and operate new works for generating electricity. This act gave powers to the CEA to build the hydro-electric stations at Ffestiniog and Rheidol in North Wales

North Wales Hydro-Electric Power Act 1955 
The North Wales Hydro-Electric Power Act 1955 received royal assent on 27 July 1955. Its long title is ‘An Act to confer powers upon the Central Electricity Authority for the construction and erection of works and generating stations in the counties of Merioneth, Cardigan and Montgomery and for the acquisition of lands and easements for the purposes thereof or in connection therewith and for other purposes.’

Provisions 
The act comprises 52 sections

 Section 1 Short title
 Section 2 Incorporation of Acts
 Section 3 Interpretation
 Section 4 Power to execute works
 Section 5 As to construction of Works Nos 2 and 20
 Section 6 Power to deviate
 Section 7 Subsidiary works
 Section 8 Construction of fish ladders
 Section 9 Diversion of footpaths and stopping up of highways
 Section 10 Works to form part of undertaking
 Section 11 Power to dredge etc.
 Section 12 Temporary stoppage of roads and footpaths
 Section 13 Period for completion of works
 Section 14 Discharge of water into streams
 Section 15 Accommodation for workmen employed on construction of works
 Section 16 Power to take and use water
 Section 17 Compensation water in respect of Ffestiniog works
 Section 18 Compensation water in respect of Rheidol works 
 Section 19 Restriction on taking water in respect of Rheidol works
 Section 20 Provisions applicable to last three preceding sections of Act
 Section 21 Agreements with statutory water undertakers and others
 Section 22 Making good diminution in water supplies used for domestic or agricultural purposes
 Section 23 Laying of pipes for affording or making good water supplies
 Section 24 Agreements with Aberystwyth Corporation
 Section 25 Fencing and crossing of aqueducts
 Section 26 For the preservation of scenery and amenities
 Section 27 For prevention of pollution
 Section 28 Removal of submerged buildings and trees
 Section 29 Power to acquire lands and construct generating stations
 Section 30 Correction of errors in deposited plans and book of reference
 Section 31 Acquisition of part only of certain properties
 Section 32 Power to expedite entry
 Section 33 Power to enter for survey of valuation
 Section 34 Disregard of recent improvements and interests
 Section 35 Extinction of private rights of way
 Section 36 Power to acquire easements only
 Section 37 Grant of easements by persons under disability
 Section 38 Liability to make compensation
 Section 39 Removal of human remains
 Sections 40 to 47 Protection of various organisations
 Section 48 Service of notices to treat
 Section 49 Saving for town and country planning
 Section 50 Arbitration
 Section 51 Crown rights
 Section 52 Costs of Act

Table of Statutes referred to in this Act

Effects of the act 
The act empowered the CEA to construct hydro-electric generating stations at Ffestiniog and Rheidol. By 1962 when both power stations had been commissioned, Ffestiniog had an installed capacity of 150 MW and generated 30.26 MWh in 1962, Rheidol had a capacity of 37 MW and generated 155.56 MWh that year.

Current status 
Unknown.

See also 

 Timeline of the UK electricity supply industry
 North Wales Hydro-Electric Power Act 1952
 North Wales Hydro Electric Power Act 1973

References 

United Kingdom Acts of Parliament 1955
Hydroelectric power stations in Wales