Roads and Footpaths (Closing Orders)

HC Deb 25 July 1946 vol 426 cc57-8W

Mr. Anthony Greenwood

asked the Secretary of State for War how many public rights-of-way in each of the administrative counties of England and Wales were barred by his Department on 31st May, 1945, 31st May, 1946, and 30th June, 1946, respectively

Mr. Lawson

The following table shows the numbers of roads and footpaths on which closing orders under Defence Regulation 16 were in operation, on the dates requested, in England, Scotland and Wales.

Date.	Roads.	Footpaths.	Total.
31st May, 1945	495	246	741
31st May, 1946	331	167	498
30th June, 1946	323	159	482

These exclude highways included in the omnibus closing orders relating to East Holme, Thetford, Orford, Imber, Senny-bridge and Corsham. Action is in hand for the reopening of individual roads and footpaths as and when circumstances permit, and all commands have been instructed to ensure that although a closing order under Defence Regulation 16 is in force, the road or footpath should not be kept closed unnecessarily.