GATES ON HIGHWAYS. (Hansard, 26 July 1927)

§ Mr. CRAWFURD

I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide for the alteration or removal of gates on highways. I propose to detain the House only three or four minutes while I ask leave to introduce this small Bill, which, I hope and believe, will not only excite no opposition, but will command universal support. It is designed to mitigate the nuisance and remove the danger, where danger is known to exist, caused by the existence of gates across highways used by traffic. There are two operative Clauses in the Bill. The first gives the highway authority power to request or require the owners of such gates to provide what I believe, are called sprags, or other devices, to enable them to be held back while traffic passes. The second Clause gives the highway authority power 1040 to require the total removal of such gates where they may be held to be dangerous, particularly in districts and on roads very largely used by vehicular traffic.

The Bill also contains safeguards to preserve the interests of those who own such gates who may own grazing or other rights which the gates protect. They would, under this Bill, have the power to appeal against decisions, and, failing agreement, the matter would be referred to an arbitrator or to the County Court. I agree there are gates in considerable numbers which are wanted in order to restrain cattle, and, in the Highlands and other parts of Scotland, in order to prevent the mixing of different flocks of sheep. That kind of gate would, of course, be the subject of discussion and agreement, and would not necessarily come under this Bill at all. The Bill also provides that there shall be ade- 1041 quate compensation paid by the authority out of the Road Fund or other funds which may be available for compensation, and also sums of money which may be expended in carrying out the improvements required. That is all there is in the Bill. It is very simple, and I think, as I say, it will command universal support, and I strongly hope that before this Session is concluded, by the clemency and courtesy of the House, it will become law.