HC Deb 25 February 1931 vol 248 cc2116-7
43. Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the recommendations in the third and final report of the Royal Commission on Transport with regard to toll roads and bridges, what inducement is offered by his Department at the present time to local authorities to use their powers under the Road Traffic Act to buy and free toll roads and bridges; and whether he will take immediate steps to expedite their abolition?

47. Mr. FREEMAN

asked the Minister of Transport how many local authorities, if any, have taken advantage of their powers under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, for the abolition of toll roads and bridges; how many toll roads and bridges still exist; and whether he intends to take further action in the matter?

49. Mr. L. SMITH

asked the Minister of Transport whether he intends, in view of the proposals contained in the Road Traffic Act, 1930, to facilitate the movement of traffic along the roads of the country, to bring to the notice of the different local authorities concerned the powers they possess for acquiring by negotiation and arbitration the different toll bridges and tolls in their areas?

57. Mr. MILLS

asked the Minister of Transport how many toll bridges or tolls have been acquired or are in process of acquisition by local authorities since the passing of the Road Traffic Act; and what steps have been taken by his Department to inform authorities of their powers under the Act?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

I am about to issue a Circular to local authorities drawing attention to the additional powers conferred upon them by the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, and in particular the provisions contained in Part III of the Act. This Circular will refer, among other matters, to the provisions of Section 53, which deals with the transfer of toll bridges and toll roads to local authorities. I have already announced my willingness to make grants up to 60 per cent. of the net expenditure incurred on approved schemes, the amount of the grants varying with the importance of the road affected. The initiative in the promotion of schemes of this kind is with the highway authorites concerned. There are 55 toll roads and 80 toll bridges still existing. Seven schemes for freeing bridges from tolls are now under active consideration.