§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEasked the Minister of Transport (1) whether, before deciding against the alternative route proposed for the Watford by-pass road through the Child's Hill district by the Association of the Citizens of Hendon, he will receive a deputation from that body;
(2) whether he has received a protest from the Association of the Citizens of Hendon against the demolition of houses and the destruction of gardens along the route through Child's Hill, proposed for the Watford by-pass road; whether the alternative route suggested by the association avoids the demolition of houses; whether he will accept this alternative 2233W route; and, if not, what are the reasons which prevent its acceptance?
§ Mr. GOSLINGActing in conjunction with the Middlesex County Council, who are carrying out the construction of the Watford By-Pass, both my predecessor and I fully considered the representations made by the Hendon Urban District Council and other local bodies regarding the line to be adopted for the new road. As at present advised, I am satisfied that the line now selected is the most advantageous to traffic and the most economical. Along the whole length of 17 miles not more than six houses will need to be demolished. An opportunity for making further representations, if considered necessary, will present itself in the near future, as an inquiry is to be held by an Engineering Inspector of my Department into objections which have been raised to the confirmation of the Order made by the Middlesex County Council under the Unemployment (Relief Works) Act, 1920, for the compulsory acquisition of certain properties required for the road. Any representations made to the Inspector will be carefully considered by me before the Order is confirmed, and in the circumstances I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by my receiving further deputations on the subject.