HC Deb 01 February 1978 vol 943 cc452-3
18. Mr. Eyre

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the present standards of road maintenance.

28. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the present standards of road maintenance.

Mr. Horam

I believe that the present standards of maintenance on motorways and trunk roads are reasonable, given limited resources. As regards other roads, we have since 1976 been surveying their condition annually in collaboration with local authorities and will watch the situation with care.

Mr. Eyre

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that badly maintained and dangerous roads are one of the worst aspects of the environment, especially in industrial areas? To its credit, the West Midlands has been trying to do something about that, but what is the Minister's attitude towards it and what can he do to help?

Mr. Horam

I am aware of the hon. Gentleman's point, especially in terms of the problems that have arisen both on country roads and on motorways in the Midlands generally. As I said, we are trying to maintain the level of spending on road maintenance as a whole. Spending has declined in recent years, but it has now, I think, bottomed out. We are also trying to ensure that we properly monitor what is going on. The annual surveys of the condition of roads are a most important innovation.

Mr. Miller

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the Transport and Road Research Laboratory's finding that 28 per cent. of accidents are caused by road defects? Will he give us an assurance that the monitoring will apply to local authority roads as well? If an increase in the number of accidents is shown as a result of cut-backs in maintenance spending, will he make representations to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment about the formula for the rate support grant?

Mr. Horam

The surveys will cover local authority roads as well as motorways and trunk roads. About £377 million is being spent annually on road maintenance on local authority roads alone, at November 1976 prices. There is a considerable effort being made in this direction, but we need to watch the situation and I shall ensure that it is watched.

Mr. Heffer

Is my hon. Friend aware that some of the roads in Merseyside are still not as good as they used to be, and will he point out to Conservative Members that one of the reasons for that is the cuts in public expenditure, which they fully supported? Indeed, it was argued that the Government were not going far enough.

Mr. Horam

My hon. Friend is right. Opposition Members clamoured for public expenditure cuts while at the same time clamouring for good road maintenance. My right hon. Friend and I are concerned to ensure that there is reasonable maintenance of roads and that public transport is not neglected.