§ 58. Mr. STOURTONasked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the inconvenience, danger, and expense caused to road users by toll-gates on main roads; the number of such toll-gates there are in the country; and when it is proposed to abolish them through legislation?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThere are to-day three toll roads and 34 toll bridges on classified roads in Great Britain. I should like to see these roads and bridges freed. Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, has given highway authorities 1333 power to take them over by agreement or, save in certain cases of statutory undertakings, compulsorily; and I have told the highway authorities that I am ready to consider applications for grants from the Road Fund towards approved expenditure so incurred.
§ Mr. STOURTONIs my hon. Friend aware that toll bridges are a complete anachronism at the present day and that toll-bridge owners are drawing fantastic rates of interest on trivial capital outlay made as far back as George III?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAMy answer shows that I agree with the general purpose that my hon. Friend has in view.
§ Mr. STOURTONMay I take it from my hon. Friend's reply that we shall see an end of these toll bridges before very long?
§ Captain P. MACDONALDWill my hon. Friend undertake, as his predecessors did, to allow the public assessor to act as arbitrator in cases where these bridges are to be taken over, so as to save the expenses of local authorities?