HC Deb 10 May 1935 vol 301 cc1262-3W
Mr. HEPWORTH

asked the Minister of Transport for what reason no toll roads or toll bridges were freed during the financial year 1934 to 1935; and whether he will reconsider whether the grants which he is prepared to make at the present time for the freeing of these roads and bridges are sufficient to encourage highway authorities to take advantage of their powers under the Road Traffic Act, 1930?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Only one definite application was submitted during the last financial year for the freeing of toll roads or toll bridges in private ownership and that was not received till the end of March. Some authorities made tentative enquiries and were informed that I was prepared to consider any definite proposals for grants at the normal rates (60 per cent. for roads and bridges of class I value and 50 per cent. in all other cases). These rates should be sufficient to encourage local authorities to get rid of these local burdens.

Mr. T. MORRIS

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the names of the local authorities at present owning toll roads or toll bridges and, with regard to each case, by what date it is anticipated that these roads and bridges will be freed to the public; and to what extent at the present time the tolls thereon are being used to subsidise the rates of the local authorities concerned?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

The following is a list of local authorities owning toll roads and bridges:—

(i) Toll Roads.

Rochdale C.B.C.

Roch Mills Lane.

Llandudno U.D.C.

Loop Road encircling Great Ormes Head.

(both are unclassified roads.)

(ii) Toll Bridges.

Sandwich T.C.

Sandwich Bridge.

Widnes T.C.

Transporter Bridge.

Newport (Mon.) T.C.

Transporter Bridge.

Bournemouth C.B.C.

Tuckton Bridge.

Littlehampton U.D.C.

Littlehampton Bridge.

Leeds C.B.C.

Gotts Bridge.

Conway T.C.

Conway Bridge.

Carnarvon T.C.

Aber Bridge.

Horsforth U.D.C.

Newlay Bridge.

I regret that I am unable to say when these roads and bridges will be freed from tolls, and I have no information as to the extent, if any, to which the tolls are being used to subsidise the rates of the local authorities concerned.