§ 131. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport what criterion is used in determining whether the request of a local authority to carry out improvements of public roads is justified; how far the surveyor's report is accepted as sufficient; and to what extent inspectors from his Department make an inquiry on the spot before a reply is given.
§ Mr. BarnesIn present circumstances I can only approve such work as must be done to preserve essential communications or for the purposes of other parts of the investment programme, together with a limited amount of work to improve conditions at some of the worst danger spots. The reports of surveyors of local highway authorities have to be 51W considered in relation to these criteria. My divisional road engineers have knowledge of the roads in their areas. They are in constant touch with local surveyors about improvement schemes and meet them on the site as may be desirable.