§ 60. Viscount CURZONasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to close the military road from Rye to Winchelsea to heavy motor traffic; whether he is aware that this road is the main arterial road along the south coast; that such closing, if carried out, will entail a very large extra mileage for all commercial motor vehicle and char-á-bane traffic; and whether, before giving any such order, steps will be taken, in consultation with the Minister of Transport and the local authorities affected, to make the necessary arrangements to repair and maintain the road in a fit condition to take all kinds of vehicular traffic?
§ Mr. WALSHYes, Sir, the road will be closed to heavy motor traffic from 23rd instant. I am aware of the circumstances, and the possibilities of an arrangement on the lines suggested in the second part of the question were fully explored before the decision was reached, but, unfortunately, without success.