§ 53. Mr. Watkinsasked the Minister of Transport what kind and number of snow clearing machines are available for the counties of Wales and Monmouthshire for trunk roads; how many were manufactured during the last 10 years; and if he is satisfied that up-to-date machinery is available to meet abnormal falls of snow outside the motorways.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettIn maintaining trunk roads as agent authorities county councils rely primarily on their own plant and vehicles but these are supplemented by Ministry-owned plant. I am circulating below the information asked for. The present resources are adequate for clearing trunk roads in normal winters but recent abnormal weather produced great difficulties in Wales and Monmouthshire, as elsewhere. It is not always possible to provide for abnormal conditions but we are reviewing our experience this winter to see how far we can improve our arrangements.
Main equipment owned by counties—302 snow ploughs; 6 snow blowers.Ministry owned plant—45 (35) snow ploughs; 82 (7) salt or grit spreading trailers.The number of Ministry vehicles over 10 years old is shown in brackets.