HC Deb 07 May 1888 vol 325 cc1474-5
MR. J. ROWLANDS (Finsbury, E.)

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether it is proposed, under Clause 15 of the Local Government Bill, to transfer to the Council of the County of London the care, management, and repair of the main roads in the Metropolis, which are at present vested in the Vestries and District Boards of Works, and, if so, in what manner a main road is to be defined; what executive duties, at present performed by the Common Council and other Authorities of the City of London, is it proposed to transfer to the Council of the County of London; and, whether the effect of Clause 37 of the Local Government Bill will be to constitute London, Southwark, and Blackfriars Bridges, county bridges, and place them under the control of the Council of the County of London; or whether these bridges will continue to be under the control of the Corporation of the City of London?

THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)

The duty of maintaining and repairing main roads in the Metropolis will be transferred to the County Council of London, subject to the provisions in Clause 37 (4) of the Bill; but it is intended that the Vestries and District Boards shall have the same power as an Urban Sanitary Authority under Clause 15 (2) of the Bill. Main roads for the purposes of the Bill will include roads disturnpiked since December 31, 1870, and any road which may be declared to be a main road by the County Council in pursuance of section 15 of the Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act, 1878. There are certain duties now performed by the Aldermen of London which the Bill transfers to the County Council. The Liverymen elect the Sheriff of Middlesex, the appointment of whom is transferred to the Crown. The only duties transferred to the County Council of London are those connected with licensing. The London, Southwark, and Blackfriars Bridges are at present maintained by the Corporation out of the proceeds of the Bridge House Estates; and there is no intention to make them county bridges, or to transfer the control of them to the County Council.

SIR TREVOR LAWRENCE (Surrey, Reigate)

inquired what was the intention of the Government with regard to bridges in the County of Surrey—Putney, Wandsworth, Hammersmith, and several others?

MR. RITCHIE

asked for Notice of the Question.