§ 95. Captain WATERHOUSEasked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the condition of certain bridges on the Buxton-Ashbourne road; and if he will take steps to ensure that railway companies do not spoil a length of road kept up at the public expense by neglecting to keep the highway for which they are responsible in proper repair?
§ Colonol ASHLEYRepresentations on the subject have been made to me, and I understand that certain negotiations are now proceeding between the local authorities and the railway company concerning these bridges. While my officers always do their best in such cases to facilitate a satisfactory settlement between the parties concerned, I am not in a position to impose terms.
§ Mr. PALINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the condition of the roads on railway bridges is a matter of common complaint all up and down the country, and does he propose taking any power to compel railway companies to keep these roads in repair?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI do not propose at the present moment to ask for power. In certain cases satisfactory arrangements have been come to between local authorities and railway companies, whereby the surface of the roads on these bridges is kept up, two-thirds of the cost being contributed by the railway company and one-third by the local authority.
§ Mr. PALINGBut if there are any cases where a road has been got into proper repair, and for two or three years the railway company have done nothing, has the right hon. Gentleman any power to compel them to face their responsibility?
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo power.
§ Captain WATERHOUSECan the right hon. Gentleman say how bad such a road has to reach before it becomes an obstruction to the highway?