§ 52. Sir P. HARRISasked the Minister of Transport how far local authorities are required by his Department to make provision for footpaths for pedestrians on the side of new or improved roads for which he provides financial assistance; and whether he will in future make such provision, as a general rule, a condition of financial assistance?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe provision of footways, in all cases where they are practicable and desirable, is now a condition of grants from the Road Fund. Highway authorities have been warned that grants will not be made towards road widening operations by which pedestrians are deprived of footways or verges.
§ Commander MARSDENWill the Minister take steps to ensure that the surface of the footpath is equally as good as the surface of the road?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIt is my desire that it should be properly kept.
§ Mr. WILMOTIs the Minister aware that in a very large number of cases these footpaths are practically impassable, and that it is, in fact, the condition of the footways which is largely responsible for the misgivings of many cyclists as to the proposal to provide separate cycle-ways?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI have impressed on local authorities the necessity for preserving the maintenance of these footways.