§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the fact that the Government's policy for expenditure has led local authorities in the Greater London area to cut down on road repairs and that in many boroughs there are now dangerous potholes measuring 12 inches to 15 inches in circumference and of depths of 3 inches to 316W 5 inches which are causing dangerous hazards to motorists and pedestrians, what action he proposes to take to prevent loss of life and danger to limb by these dangerous roads and streets.
§ Mr. William RodgersMaintenance of roads other than trunk roads is the responsibility of the local authority concerned. In the case of the Greater London Council, £180 million was accepted for Transport Supplementary Grant purposes for 1977–78 and it is for the GLC to decide, in consultation with the London boroughs, how this should be allocated between road maintenance and other local transport functions.
Local authorities have been told they should keep in mind the overriding importance of the safety of travellers.