§ 22. Colonel Stoddart-Scottasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the cost of the road island in the Otley-Wetherby road, near Pool Bridge; its purpose; and the cost of its removal.
§ Mr. MolsonThis island was installed by the West Riding County Council at a cost of about £160 to improve traffic conditions at the junction of two Class I roads. It was not, however, found to be satisfactory and was therefore removed. The value of the materials so recovered exceeded the cost of removal by about £20.
§ Colonel Stoddart-ScottIs the Minister aware that this island was one which one did not have to go round, and there was no complicated road transport at that junction? Cannot his Department supervise these schemes before public money is wasted on them?
§ Mr. MolsonI have already mentioned that this island was built at the meeting point of two Class I roads. Classified roads are the responsibillity of the local highway authorities. My right hon. Friend's divisional road engineer was not consulted, and his consent was not required. The local authority has found that that Island was not well designed, and for that reason it was, very prudently, removed.
§ 23. Colonel Stoddart-Scottasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the cost of the island at the bottom of Brook Street, Ilkley; its purpose, and what will be the cost of its removal.
§ Mr. MolsonThe cost of the island was about£130. Its purpose is to help the movement of traffic on the trunk road from the direction of Leeds turning left into Brook Street. As it does this satisfactorily no question of the removal of this island arises.
§ Colonel Stoddart-ScottWill the Minister get his officer to go to look at this island before it is completed to see if its construction can be stopped, so that we do not have to waste money in taking it away again?
§ Mr. MolsonMy information is that this island has already been completed. It is serving the purpose for which it was -designed extremely well. One of the signal heads was removed forward to a new island, constructed at the mouth of Brook Street. The effect is that traffic from the direction of Leeds on the trunk road can now turn left into Brook Street before reaching the signals. There is a heavy left-hand turn for buses at the junction, and bus drivers prefer the new arrangement.
§ Mr. BeswickWould the hon. Gentleman help us by having a map or diagram of the area placed in the Library?
§ Mr. MolsonI suggest that hon. Members should visit the constituency of my hon. and gallant Friend and study the island in situ.