§ Captain P. Macdonaldasked the Minister of Transport in what cases local authorities have taken advantage of the powers provided for them in the Road Traffic Act, 1930, to purchase and free toll roads and bridges in their areas; how many toll roads and bridges still remain to be freed in Great Britain; and whether he proposes to take any steps to accelerate their freeing during the current year?
§ Mr. Burgin:Following is the information:
Since 1930 the following toll roads and bridges have been purchased and freed with the assistance of Road Fund grants:
Authority and Toll Road or Bridge.
Birkenhead County Borough Council— Wallasey Pool Bridge.
Denbigh County Council—Voryd Bridge.
Herefordshire County Council—Hoar-withy Bridge.
887WHerefordshire County Council—Holme Lacy Bridge.
Isle of Wight County Council—Yar Bridge.
Kent County Council—Oxney Bridge.
Kent County Council—Smallhythe Bridge.
Lindsey County Council—Short Ferry Bridge.
Norfolk County Council—Hillgay Bridge.
Northumberland County Council— Wylam Bridge.
Newcastle-on-Tyne County Borough Council—High Level Bridge.
Newcastle-on-Tyne County Borough Council—Redheugh Bridge.
Oakworth and Haworth Urban District Council—Providence Lane, Vale Mill Lane and Ebor Lane.
Radnor and Brecon County Councils—Hay Bridge.
Radnor and Brecon County Councils—Boughrood Bridge.
Salisbury Town Council—Nelson Road.
Southampton County Council— Bursledon Bridge.
Stoke-on-Trent County Borough Council—Weston Coyney Road.
Yorks (East Riding) County Council— Derwent Bridge.
In the following cases grants have been made towards the construction of a bridge on a new site affording an alternative route to a toll bridge:
Norfolk County Council—Guist Bridge.
Yorks (East Riding) County Council— Loftsome Bridge.
Yorks (West Riding) County Council— Calverley Bridge.
The number remaining is:
Toll Roads … … 57 Toll Bridges … … 74* *Including eight on toll roads. Within the past year I drew the attention of highway authorities to their powers under Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, and reminded them that I was prepared to entertain applications for financial assistance towards expenditure incurred in acquiring toll roads and bridges.