§ 36. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the inconvenience and dislocation of traffic which is caused by the railway crossing at Denaby Main; whether any scheme is under consideration for the erection of a bridge; and, if so, whether his Department will make a substantial grant towards the cost?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Hore-Belisha)The five-year programme of the West Riding County Council includes provision for a new bridge to replace the level crossing at an estimated cost of £150,000. The council have not yet submitted details, but I shall be prepared to consider an application for a 75 per cent. grant to an approved scheme.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSMay I ask whether, when it is recognised that the case is an exceedingly bad one, the Ministry ever use their influence to expedite the carrying out of the?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHACertainly, Sir, we use our influence, but we are finally dependent upon the wishes of the highway authorities.
§ Mr. LOUIS SMITHHaving regard to the fact that for some considerable time the 75 per cent. grant has not attracted local authorities to clear away these level crossings, will the Minister give the matter further consideration, or they are 1248 likely to continue in existence for a great many years?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI fail to see what more we can do than pay 75 per cent. In some cases it has been successful, and in some cases it has not yet been successful.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSSeeing that there are 1,500 who have been out of work for more than six months, and 2,500 receiving unemployment benefit, making 4,000 in all, will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the county council to try to expedite the scheme?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI should have thought that the first person to be satisfied with my answer would have been the hon. Gentleman who asked the question, because it has elicited the offer on my part of 75 per cent.