HC Deb 06 May 1936 vol 311 c1692 Works of Major Improvement of Roads and Bridges and the Construction of New Roads and Bridges. The Minister of Transport has had under review the basis on which grants towards the cost of highway improvements in built-up areas are calculated. Representations have been made to him that the present practice of including only the site value of property for the purpose of calculating the amount of grants from the Road Fund in respect of such schemes operates inequitably and militates against the carrying out of necessary improvements in cities and towns. In order to meet these representations, the Minister has decided to accept as ranking for grant the net cost, of property necessarily acquired and used for approved. schemes of road improvement. At the same time he considers that the rates of grant to be given on the more comprehensive basis should be somewhat lower than those hitherto obtaining on the restricted basis of site value. The rates of grant which will be available towards the cost of works of major improvement and new construction of roads in built-up areas and areas not built-up respectively will therefore be as follows:—
Percentage of approved net cost met bygrant.
— In built-up areas. In areas not built-up.
1. Trunk Roads in County Areas (for schemes in accordance with approved trunk road standards):
Group A 80 85
Group B 75 80
Group C 66⅔ 75
2. Class I roads other than trunk roads in County Areas:
(a) Dual carriageways and cycle tracks:
Group A 66⅔ 75
Group B 60 66⅔
Group C 50 60
(b) Other Improvements. 50 60
3. Class II and unclassified roads. 33⅔ 50
The grouping of authorities for the purpose of items 1 and 2 (a) is that already determined for such purposes in accordance with the ratio of the weighted to actual population of its area as determined by the formula of the Local Government Acts, 1929. For schemes of exceptional magnitude and traffic importance in built-up areas, which an authority is prepared to deal with expeditiously and carry to completion as an urgently needed traffic facility, the Minister will be prepared to consider grants at the rates applicable for similar works in an area not built-up, Such exceptional terms will, however, only be given in cases of specially selected schemes which in the Minister's view fulfil the above conditions. In the case of the construction or reconstruction of a publicly-owned bridge in a built-up area, where the acquisition of property does not involve substantial expenditure, the Minister will also be prepared to consider a grant at the rate which would have been applicable if the bridge had been situated in an area not built-up. Grants at the rate of 75 per cent. will continue to be given for the reconstruction of weak bridges in private ownership and for the elimination of level crossings, but the expenditure ranking for grant will in all cases include the approved net cost of property. The terms of this Circular will be applicable to schemes for which grants have been or may be issued subsequent to the 31st December, 1935. Subject to the changes announced in this letter, the terms of Circular letters numbers 420 (Roads) and 421 (Roads) (Scotland) will continue in force: but estimates of the site value of property will no longer be required.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

CYRIL HURCOMB.

The Clerk of the Council.

The Town Clerk.