HL Deb 02 March 1988 vol 494 cc175-6

2.45 p.m.

Lord Underhill asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are their intentions for the improvement and maintenance of local roads.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)

My Lords, improvement and maintenance of local roads is the responsibility of local highway authorities. We will continue to give them financial support for this purpose.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, is the Minister aware that in a speech to the Association of County Councils on 17th February, the Secretary of State criticised local authorities for under-spending on local roads, and he said that that implied overspending on other services? Is the Minister further aware that many responsible bodies concerned with the maintenance of local roads consider that local authorities are under-financed, and that they can only carry out road work by sacrificing other essential services?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I am aware of the speech which my right honourable friend made. It is certainly true that local authorities have significantly under-spent on the provision allowed for them for road maintenance. We increased provision by 15 per cent. in 1986–87 and by a further 13 per cent. in 1987–88. In the year which is now coming to an end local authorities under-spent by £148 million on road maintenance. It is for the authorities to adjust their spending priorities to give road maintenance the priority which we believe it deserves.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, does the Minister recall that under this Government the rate support grant to councils has been steadily reduced from 64 per cent. to 45 per cent.? Why do the Government persist in giving to local authorities the impossible choice between maintaining a good road programme, housing, education and the social services? Why do not the Government increase the general rate support grant?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, if local authorities feel that they are not getting sufficient provision for other services, that is something which I have no doubt they will take up with the relevant authorities. We are all aware that local roads need maintenance; but we cannot accept that local authorities should choose to spend from that budget what they were allocated for other things.

Viscount Mountgarret

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that there is an undercurrent of feeling in certain local authorities that they might absolve themselves of the responsibility for the maintenance of local and minor roads and leave such maintenance and upkeep to the landowners, occupiers or tenants who use them? Is not this suggestion to be regretted?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, there have been proposals put forward to make it easier for highway authorities to close little-used but expensive-to-maintain roads. A consultation paper was issued in 1985, and a wide spectrum of responses was received. These have been carefully considered. It is hoped to make an announcement of the Government's intentions in Parliament shortly.