HL Deb 21 April 1959 vol 215 cc837-8WA
LORD DERWENT

asked Her Majesty's Government. in view of the reply given in another place by the Minister of Transport that in respect of Stage one of the Cromwell Road Extension, apart from the grant paid for the purchase of the necessary property and land for the construction of the road itself and for accommodation works, no grant was paid to the London County Council for redevelopment of adjoining properties affected by the road cutting through the densely developed area; and in view of the estimate that the cost of constructing the "A" Ring Motorway in London, including the acquisition of the necessary property and land and accommodation works, would be about £150 million; and in view of the statement in another place by the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport that addition-ally the cost of the redevelopment of all the properties which adjoined such a motorway could effect a big reduction in the total funds available for the road programme, why redevelopment of extensive areas or all the properties adjoining the motorway is considered necessary as a result of providing the motorway, and under what procedure a grant would be made from Government funds available for the road programme for any unavoidable redevelopment.

EARL BATHURST

If a motorway like the suggested "A" Ring Road were built in London, it would, whatever line it followed, radically alter the character of the neighbourhood through which it passed. For example, some at present quiet areas would have to take heavy traffic; property would have for social or aesthetic reasons to be demolished beyond the confines of the actual line of the road; localities would be divided, making it more difficult for people to go to their usual shops, schools and places of work and entertainment; and raised structures, if used for this motorway, would create special problems each side of them. For reasons of this nature it must be presumed that, if such a motorway were built, extensive areas adjoining it would have to be redeveloped.

My right honourable friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation has no power to make funds available for such redevelopment beyond the compensation payable for property which has to be acquired for the construction of the road.

House adjourned at ten minutes before five o'clock.