§ 22. Mr. Pounderasked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the Railways Board to prevent disused railway lines from becoming unsightly and overgrown with weeds.
§ Mr. GalbraithNo, Sir. The Railways Board is subject to the normal legislation governing owners of vacant land.
§ Mr. PounderWhile not asking my right hon. Friend to convert these tracks into rhododendron glades or anything like that, may I ask if nothing can be done in this respect because the state of many of the railways tracks makes a nonsense of the notice "Keep Britain Tidy" and encourages litter louts, which 1349 is something we all deplore? Can nothing be done to encourage the Board to take this matter more seriously and to prevent weeds growing and buildings continuing to decay?
§ Mr. GalbraithLocal authorities have adequate powers to deal with nuisance on vacant land which is injurious both to health and amenity. I do not see why railway vacant land should be dealt with differently from other vacant land. I hope that what my hon. Friend has said will be noted by the local authorities.