HC Deb 27 January 1954 vol 522 cc1748-9
55. Mrs. White

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, if he will take powers to improve the upkeep of roads passing over railway bridges, many of which are in a bad state of repair owing to the division of responsibility for their upkeep between the railway and the highway authorities.

Mr. Molson

It seems desirable that the local highway authorities should take over on suitable terms responsibility for the upkeep of roads passing over railway bridges, other than trunk roads which are already vested in the Minister. My Department some time ago initiated discussions on these lines between the British Transport Commission and the local authority associations, and I hope they will be successful.

Mrs. White

Will the Minister do all that he can to expedite the conclusion of these discussions, because in the meantime the roads to which the Question refers are deteriorating very rapidly?

Mr. Molson

Yes. Because progress is not sufficiently satisfactory my right hon. Friend called a meeting on this subject in November last.

Mr. K. Thompson

Do these discussions cover the rebuilding of very narrow bridges often found in congested areas?

Mr. Molson

No. That is an entirely different matter.