§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to extend local authorities' duties and powers to adopt currently unadopted roads.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleI have no such plans.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the obligations on local authorities to maintain those unadopted roads which have operated as public tracks for over 20 years.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleSection 31 of the Highways Act 1980 provides that a way over land which has been enjoyed by the public as of right and uninterruptedly for fully 20 years shall be deemed to be dedicated as a highway. But of itself this imposes no obligation for such a highway to be maintained at public expense.