HC Deb 28 May 1957 vol 571 cc206-7
33. Mr. Gower

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what recent conversations he has had with local authorities about the problem of private streets in England and Wales, respectively, which were developed, or partly developed, more than twenty years ago.

The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Mr. Henry Brooke)

It is part of my Department's normal duties to deal with proposals from local authorities in both England and Wales for the making up of private streets. The problem of the older unmade roads—and I know that many of them are more than twenty years old—is usually prominent in our correspondence and discussions with the local authorities in both countries.

Mr. Gower

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in the part of my constituency which is on the outskirts of the City of Cardiff, there are many streets which have been in an appalling condition for all this time, and the inhabitants and residents are most apprehensive that each year which passes will add to the probable cost of making up those streets and the road charges? Does he not think that there is reasonable ground for taking some steps which will give these roads priority over any new streets which may be constructed?

Mr. Brooke

This is a matter for the local authorities. It is for each authority to decide which streets it will make up under its statutory powers. A local authority ordinarily endeavours to deal with the worst streets first.

Mr. Lindgren

Is the Minister aware that the frontagers, when they purchased the houses, purchased on the basis of no road charges, and the continuing delay makes for considerable difficulty in tracing builders who received payments originally in the purchase price for making up the frontage?

Mr. Brooke

I think that that is rather another aspect of the question.

Mr. Ede

Will the Minister restore to local authorities facilities for loan sanctions for this work, refusal of which is hindering a good many of them at the present time?

Mr. Brooke

We are now issuing loan sanctions at the rate of about £1 million a year.

Forward to