§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has any proposals for the reform of the law on the adoption of private streets; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyFollowing a consultation paper issued in 1983, the Department has reviewed the law on private street works. It is concluded that the provisions of the present law are in general satisfactory and that in particular the basic principle of frontager liability should be maintained.
Earlier this year, with our encouragement, the Housebuilders Federation and the local authority associations negotiated a revised model agreement to provide for the adoption of newly constructed estate roads. We commend this as a substantial improvement on the previous arrangements.
We are currently considering certain detailed amendments of the law with a view to introduction when a suitable opportunity arises for legislation.