§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will introduce targets for the condition and safety of unadopted alleyways; and if he will make a statement; [7383]
(2)what assessment he has made of the number of unadopted alleyways in the United Kingdom; [7380]
(3)what plans he has to facilitate the improvement of unadopted alleyways; and if he will make a statement; [7385]
(4) if he will introduce standards and targets to encourage the adoption of unadopted alleyways; and if he will make a statement. [7384]
§ Ms KeebleRecent figures are not available for the number of unadopted streets or alleyways, In 1972 there were some 40,000 private streets throughout the country.
Whether or not a street should be adopted is a matter for individual local authorities. They have the power to adopt such streets and to contribute towards the cost of making them up to an adoptable standard, where they deem that to be appropriate. An authority can also carry out urgent repairs to unadopted areas to prevent or remove danger to persons or vehicles, using powers conferred on them by section 230 of the Highways Act 1980, but without necessarily committing themselves to adoption. Any decision about whether to carry out urgent repairs is for the authority to make.