HC Deb 08 July 1936 vol 314 cc1199-201
68. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Minister of Transport the number of level crossings in Lancashire in 1935 and the number of level crossings abolished during the years 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, and 1935, stating the amount of grants made by his Department towards the costs of such replacements?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

The number of level crossings in Lancashire in 1935, so far as can be ascertained from the available records, was 253, of which 56 were on classified roads. Three level crossings were abolished or eliminated during the period 1st April, 1930, to 31st March, 1935, with the aid of grants from the Road Fund amounting to £56,221.

69. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Minister of Transport the number of bridges in Lancashire which are scheduled as defective in 1935, stating the number of bridges which have been strengthened and the number of new bridges built during the years 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, and 1935, and the amount of grants made for this purpose during the same years?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate such information as I have in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the information:

Two hundred and sixty two privately-owned bridges on classified roads and the more important unclassified roads in Lancashire were scheduled in 1930 as bridges to which a weight limit might be applied under Section 30 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933. During the period 1st April, 1931, to 31st March, 1936, grants from the Road Fund were made for the strengthening of 12 privately-owned bridges and the construction of 29 new bridges amounting to £265,421. In addition, a number of other publicly-owned bridges have been strengthened and new bridges built in Lancashire but detailed information is not readily available as many bridges were included in comprehensive road improvement schemes assisted by grants from the Road Fund.

70. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Minister of Transport the number of new roads or roads under repair which have received, or are receiving, grants from his Department during the years 1934 and 1935 in Lancashire, stating the total amount of such grants and the number of people employed on such work?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I will, with permission, circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

County of Lancashire.
— County Areas. County Boroughs.
1934–35. 1935–36. 1934–35. 1935–36.
Number. Amount. Number. Amount. Number. Amount. Number. Amount.
Grants in repect of: £ £ £ £
(a) New Road Construction. — Nil. 5 117,311 — Nil. 9 76,607
(b) Major Improvements. 65 121,083 107 240,495 18 32,778 36 118,200
In addition grants amounting to £358,312 in 1934–35 and £362,415 in 1935–36 were made to the Lancashire County Council under the classification scheme towards the maintenance and minor improvement of all classified roads in the County Area.
No information is available as to the number of men employed on these works.