HC Deb 24 July 1957 vol 574 c414
41. Mr. Peyton

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what advice he gives to highway authorities concerning the width of roads, pavement, and grass verges when a stretch of road is being widened.

Mr. Nugent

General advice on road widths and layout, and on the provision to be made for future traffic increase, is contained in technical memoranda issued to highway authorities by my Department. The application of this general advice to particular cases is usually discussed between highway authorities and our divisional road engineers when schemes of widening are proposed.

Mr. Peyton

Would my hon. Friend consider pointing out to the highway authorities that, often enough, when widening operations are undertaken, the result is extremely disappointing, quite excessive pavements and verges being allowed to be made, and that the sum total seems to amount again and again to spoiling the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar?

Mr. Nugent

We try to see that these widening schemes meet all the necessities of the locality. If my hon. Friend will give me any instance of particular complaint, I shall be very glad to look at it.