Minister may declare new public roads to be closed or diverted

(1) Upon application by the Chief Engineer, the Minister may by Order declare, (a) that any new road be opened, and in the said Order declare such road to be a public road for the purposes of this Act; (b) that any existing public road be closed, diverted or turned, and that some other shorter or more convenient course be substituted for any public road so closed, diverted or turned as the public advantage may require; and (c) that any public road may be widened and enlarged in such manner as he thinks fit. (2) Whenever it appears to the Minister that, having regard to the limited use made of any public road, the closing thereof without the provision of any other course will not result in serious handicap or inconvenience to the public, he may order that such road be closed without ordering that any other road be substituted there for.