HC Deb 09 November 1955 vol 545 c1840
36. Captain Pilkington

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he is taking in pursuance of his powers under Section 4 of the London Traffic Act, 1924, to ensure that the minimum inconvenience is caused by road works in the London streets.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

As laid down in the Act, I approve programmes of road works every six months, after they have been considered by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee. I have recently made some alterations in dates at which work should be done for the purpose referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Captain Pilkington

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the present policy in London seems to be to pull up every road and then put it down again? Is the aim of this to get non-skid surfaces, and if so, may we know what progress has been made and how long it is to continue?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

My hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that in the central London area the removal of the dangerous wood blocks and the substitution of non-skid surfaces in place of them has been effected to a very large degree. Obviously, while the work is being done there is inconvenience, there is no possibility of getting away from that. But we try to do the work quickly, and at a time that will cause the least inconvenience.