HC Deb 06 June 1962 vol 661 cc438-9
3. Mr. Stodart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the cost of maintaining the road from the Forth Road Bridge to Cramond Brig, on the city boundary of Edinburgh, will be borne by his Department; and what percentage his Department will contribute towards maintaining the same road from the city boundary into Edinburgh.

Mr. Brooman-White

In terms of the Forth Bridge Orders the road from the Bridge to the city boundary at Cramond Brig will be a Class I road on which West Lothian County Council will receive 75 per cent. grant on all approved expenditure.

Grant on the maintenance of the road within the City of Edinburgh is precluded by the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929.

Mr. Stodart

Does not my hon. Friend appreciate that there is considerable injustice in this case because conditions have completely changed since 1929? Does he realise that the ratepayers of the City of Edinburgh are to be saddled with a burden of some £500,000 of the cost of this trunk road into Edinburgh, which will be used by heavy traffic because there is no way round and because the Government are not providing any means to by-pass the city? Will he move forward and stop thinking about 1929?

Mr. Brooman-White

I realise that the burghs are dissatisfied with the arrangements which were made in 1929 for the maintenance of classified roads, but any part of the new work on this road which might rate as a major improvement could be submitted to the Scottish Development Department for consideration for grant.