§ Mr. BLACKasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the serious damage caused to the main roads by heavy motor traffic and of the cost of keeping such roads in good condition, regulations can be made restricting the loads of heavy motor lorries to not more than five tons, and that all motor lorries should be provided either with solid or pneumatic rubber tyres; and whether increased licence duties can be enforced to secure a more adequate payment towards the heavy wear and tear caused by such vehicles?
§ Mr. GOSLINGThe maximum axle weights of heavy motor lorries remain to-day as they were fixed 20 years ago, and on the heaviest type of lorry the total weight an two axles cannot legally exceed 12 tons. In view of the various uses to which they are put, it would not be practicable to make a regulation that all motor lorries should be provided either with resilient or pneumatic rubber tyres. Encouragement is given to the use of resilient or pneumatic tyres by fixing higher maximum speeds for vehicles so equipped. The question of any possible changes in the scale of taxation is now under consideration by the Departmental Committee. Any alteration in the licence duties would require legislation.
§ Mr. PATTINSONasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, owing to the recent railway strike and the consequent diversion of heavy traffic over many county roads, much damage has been done and much heavier expenses must now be met by county councils for repairs and 268W renewals; and whether, in these exceptional circumstances, he is prepared to make a special grant towards such costs?
§ Mr. GOSLINGMy attention has been drawn by the County Council of Kesteven (Lincolnshire), to damage alleged to have been caused to their roads by the diversion of traffic during the railway strike, but I have no evidence that any general increase in highway expenditure is to be anticipated on this account. While I am always prepared to consider exceptional cases of hardship, to whatever cause they may be due, I cannot undertake to make special grants on the grounds suggested in the question. I might point out that the Road Fund will in any case contribute its share of the approved expenditure on Class I and Class II roads.