HC Deb 02 August 1939 vol 350 cc2364-7
44. Mr. Hills

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the condition of the main Pontefract road from Leeds Stourton to Oulton, particularly to the dangerous corner at Oulton Bottom; whether he is aware that this road carries heavy traffic and has a bad accident record; and what action he proposes to take?

Captain Wallace

The West Riding County Council have submitted a provisional scheme for widening and re-aligning about 1½ to 2 miles of this road in the neighbourhood of Oulton. As soon as detailed plans are supplied to my Department the scheme will be further considered with a view to making a grant from the Road Fund.

Mr. Lunn

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say when this work is likely to be done, in view of the dangerous condition of the road?

Captain Wallace

It depends, to begin with, on how long it takes the West Riding County Council to send me the details of the plan.

61. Mr. Hills

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the condition of the road from Knottingly to Snaith, in the West Riding of Yorkshire; whether he is aware that this road, narrow, winding, with a bad surface, is inadequate to bear the heavy amount of transport which uses it; and what action he proposes to take?

Captain Wallace

The highway authority responsible for this road is the West Riding County Council. They have not submitted to me any proposal to widen and re-align the road; but a certain amount of re-surfacing has been carried out with grant assistance, and I am informed that further re-surfacing will be done this year. An application to bridge the level crossing at Hensall is under consideration with a view to a grant; and, in addition, a line for a proposed by-pass to Snaith has been approved under the Restriction of Ribbon Development Act, 1935.

Mr. Hills

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take this up with the West Riding County Council and call their attention to the matter?

Captain Wallace

It is sometimes difficult for me to take up questions with county councils and call their attention to jobs which are really theirs. I find that I am not very popular when I do that.

62. Mr. G. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the condition of the road between Otley and Gisburn; whether he has been informed that this section of road, which carries heavy coast traffic during the season, is exceedingly narrow and winding and has resulted in many accidents; and what action he proposes to take?

Captain Wallace

I am aware of the traffic conditions on the trunk road between Ilkley and Gisburn, and I have already made Orders under Section 1 (3) of the Trunk Roads Act to safeguard the line of a number of by-passes to the built-up areas and of diversions for the improvement of its alignment. Land is being acquired for widening to 120 feet along the section between Addingham and Cocking End. Plans are being prepared for the construction of a by-pass to Addingham and for the widening and realignment of sections from Gisburn to Stoop Hill Plantation and from Manor Park to Ilkley sewage works.

63. Mr. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the condition of the road from Headingly Hill to Otley Road, which although carrying a double tram-car track is exceedingly narrow and contains a dangerous bend which has been responsible for many accidents; and what action he proposes to take?

Captain Wallace

I understand the Leeds County Borough Council have purchased property with a view to a future improvement of the road between Grosvenor Road and Hyde Park. No application for a grant towards the cost of road works has been made, but I am informed that plans are in active preparation for this purpose.

Mr. Griffiths

And if application is made for a grant, will the Minister give it his very serious and pleasant consideration?

Captain Wallace

I will certainly give it serious consideration. All relevant considerations will be borne in mind.

Mr. Griffiths

And will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman see that we get a grant?

64. Mr. T. Smith

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the condition of the Leeds-Pontefract road at John O'Gaunts Hill; whether he is aware that the surface is bad, and the approach is through a particularly dangerous and narrow bridge; that this stretch of road has a bad accident history; and what action he pro poses to take?

Captain Wallace

I have agreed to make a grant for resurfacing a section of this road (A.639) at John O'Gaunts Hill. The highway authority has submitted a scheme for widening and improving the road, which includes the bridge, and the proposed lay-out has been provisionally approved. I am now awaiting details in order to consider the question of a grant.

65. Mr. T. Smith

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the condition of the road from Bramley to Bradford, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, particularly at Stanningley and Farsley, which has a bad surface the whole of the length; and as very heavy traffic passes over this road, and it has a bad accident record, what action he proposes to take?

Captain Wallace

The highway authority for this road is the West Riding County Council. I have not received any proposal from them for improving the surface of the road, but I will bring the hon. Member's question to their notice.