§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement as to the full amount of additional public expenditure he is planning to approve in order to enable the Mersey county council to carry out further grass cutting on major trunk roads owned by him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeOur policy is to cut grass on trunk road verges only where it interferes with drivers' sight lines or where it is desirable treatment for noxious weeds. I have agreed to a slight relaxation in this policy in Merseyside because of its particular problems, and have authorised limited cutting alongside trunk roads in urban areas of the county. The additional cost will not exceed £10,000 per annum.