§ MR. SOARES (Devonshire, Barnstaple)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that by The Bideford, Westward Ho, and Appledore Railway Act, 1896, the promoters of the railway were empowered to lay a single line of rails along the Quay Road, Bideford, but were forbidden to make a loop or passing place on the Quay Road without the consent of the Corporation; that on the faith of this and other sections being inserted for their protection the Corporation and the inhabitants generally did not oppose the Bill; that notwithstanding a subsequent refusal of their consent by the Corporation the company laid the loop; that an action in the High Court was successfully brought by the Corporation; that the railway company then applied to the Light Railway Commissioners for power to lay the loop, who decided to grant the application, and that the Board of Trade have notified their intention of confirming the sanction; and, if so, whether, in view of the circumstances of the case, he will take steps to revoke the confirmation by the Board of Trade of this order.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.)The matters referred to were argued before the Light Railway Commissioners who held a local inquiry, and again at the Board of Trade on appeal from the Commissioners. The Board were advised by their inspecting officers that the loops ought to be authorised for the safety and convenience of the road and rail traffic, and the Department decided accordingly to uphold the decision of the Light Railway Commissioners.