§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to modify the Railways Clauses Consolidation Act 1845 to extend the right for compensation to persons or businesses damaged by bridge engineering works over the railway;
(2) if he will institute a study of the rules of compensation given to businesses in the area of roads which are closed for engineering work with a view to amending the legislation in the Railways Clauses Consolidation Act 1845.
§ Mr. WattsThere are no plans to amend the Railway Clauses Consolidation Act 1845 to require compensation to be paid for loss of trade resulting from highway closure necessitated by railway bridge works. Retailers and other businesses have no legal right to any prevailing level of passing trade and temporary reductions in traffic flows have to be accepted as part of the commercial risk of running businesses.