§ Mr. Hepworthasked the Minister of Transport whether a commencement has been made with a complete survey of the main roads for which he is assuming responsibility; and whether it is proposed to make this survey generally available before any decisions are reached with regard to the carrying out of major alterations to these main roads or the by-passing of any towns through which they run?
§ Mr. BurginThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part I am under an obligation to hold a local inquiry into any proposal to construct a by-pass if so requested by a county council; in general an inquiry will be held into any major improvement scheme if the circumstances warrant.
§ Major Procterasked the Minister of Transport what schemes for constructing by-passes round towns in Great Britain are now under contemplation; and what is the approximate annual traffic through each of these places?
§ Mr. BurginThere are some hundreds of by-pass schemes in contemplation. If my hon. and gallant Friend will inform me of any particular town he has in mind I will gladly supply what information I can.
§ Commander Locker-Lampsonasked the Minister of Transport whether he will give assurances that steps will be taken to ensure that railway stations or other buildings where crowds collect are not permitted to be erected so as to cause congestion on by-pass and other roads built at great expense to relieve traffic congestion in and out of great cities?
§ Mr. BurginMy Department has drawn the attention of highway and other local authorities to the powers conferred upon them by the Restriction of Ribbon De-1022W velopment Act, 1935, to prevent or mitigate the type of development my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind, and I shall do all I can to encourage them to make wise use of those powers.