HC Deb 29 March 1961 vol 637 cc1319-21
15. Mr. Cleaver

asked the Minister of Transport on what basis compensation is paid to householders where a road improvement scheme involves the construction of a skyway, such as that envisaged over the Coventry Road, Yardley, Birmingham.

Mr. Hay

The basis of compensation for property required for the actual road works would be the same as in ordinary highway schemes. Whether compensation would be payable in respect of other property would depend on the facts of each case, in the light of existing legislation.

Mr. Cleaver

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a unique scheme? Is he aware that since it was announced there has been a very serious depreciation in the value of residential property and that to compensate residents on the latter value is most unfair?

Mr. Hay

I am not altogether aware of the points which my hon. Friend has made. The broad position is that in cases where a compulsory purchase order had been made compensation would be assessed at the time of the notice to treat. How far the amount of compensation will be affected by what I may call the skyway element in this project is a difficult question which we cannot answer until the Birmingham Corporation's proposals have been studied in considerable detail.

Mr. Strauss

Will the Parliamentary Secretary define what a skyway is?

Mr. Hay

Perhaps my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Yardley (Mr. Cleaver) is the best authority to define a skyway, since it is his Question. I understand that it is an elevated roadway which the Birmingham Corporation wishes to build.

16. Mr. Cleaver

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that a double carriageway is adequate to meet the traffic needs on the Coventry Road, Birmingham, between "The Swan" and the city boundary, and that the proposed skyway is an uneconomical way of using public money, if he will order a public inquiry into the desirability of this project

Mr. Hay

My hon. Friend's Question is based on two suppositions which I cannot comment upon until we have had an opportunity of studying the detailed proposals of the Birmingham Corporation who are the highway authority for this road. It is too soon, therefore, to say whether a public inquiry should be held.

Mr. Cleaver

Is my hon. Friend aware that from estimates which have been made it appears that this project will cost at least £1,800,000 per mile? Is he aware also that very many of the residents consider that it will be a waste of money? Is he further aware that there is already an area by the road in which a double carriagway could be laid down? Will he look further into that possibility?

Mr. Hay

Of course, we shall have to look very much more closely into this project when we have fuller details. As I said in answer to the previous Question my hon. Friend asked, we are now awaiting the opportunity to have a full discussion with the Birmingham Corporation on this point