§ 47. Mr. Bottomleyasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what caused the delay in acquiring the land required for the road improvements of the Strood High Street from Rochester bridge to the railway bridge on the London-Canterbury-Dover trunk A.2 road.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNegotiations for the purchase of the land in this case have proved exceptionally difficult, and objections have been made to the draft compulsory purchase order. The scheme includes 21 plots of land of which 15 are business premises.
§ Mr. BottomleyWhy is the Minister so unsympathetic to the traffic problems of the Medway towns? Is he aware that the fact is clearly established that the bypass road ought to have been started before any other road? Secondly, is he aware that when the Rochester City Council is trying to got land to ease the road problems in this area his Department, with another Government Department, is niggling over a small amount of money, causing delay and great consternation in the city?
§ Mr. WatkinsonPerhaps I might ask: Why is the right hon. Gentleman so unsympathetic to the rights of private property holders who are affected by this scheme? I must say that people who have property—businesses, houses and farms—in the line of roads have every right to object and to have their objections heard, and I will not take any steps which will stand in their way.
§ Mr. BottomleyIs it not a fact that the only outstanding difficulty now is one which concerns the Minister and the district valuer, that it is over a petty amount and that if this could be settled the road could be constructed?
§ Mr. WatkinsonA public inquiry has been arranged for 27th May, and so I should not comment further.