HC Deb 03 April 1935 vol 300 cc371-2W
Mr. HALL-CAINE

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, although the Highway Code advises riders to use the grass margins alongside highways wherever available, many highway authorities are forbidding riders to use the margins alongside roads under their control; and whether, in view of the increasing traffic on the roads, he will take steps to discourage the use of Road Fund moneys for the conversion of these margins to purely ornamental areas which cannot be used for their proper purpose by the public?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I am not aware that highway authorities are forbidding riders to use the grass margins which are being provided alongside roads. The Roads Improvement Act, 1925, empowers highway authorities to provide, maintain and protect trees, shrubs and grass margins on any highway maintainable by them so long as they do not thereby hinder the reasonable use of the highway by any person entitled to its use. It is not my practice to make grants from the Road Fund to the cost of converting margins to purely ornamental areas.