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Transport

Volume 237: debated on Wednesday 2 April 1930

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Railway Bridges, Devon And Cornwall

53.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the complaints as to the condition of those parts of the main roads in Devon and Cornwall which form part of the bridges over the railways; and if he proposes to take any action in relation thereto?

Complaints of this nature have, from time to time, been brought to my notice. In cases where a road over a railway bridge is maintainable by a railway company it is open to the highway authority or the company to apply to me for an Order under the Bridges Act, 1929, transferring the liability for maintenance of the road to the highway authority, and I have under consideration at the present time an application for such an Order by the Great Western Railway Company in respect of seven bridges in the County of Cornwall.

Can the hon. Member state how soon he will be able to give a decision on the application before him?

Tramway Loop Lines

54.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the advisability of encouraging loop lines in tramways in order that passengers may be embarked and disembarked near the pavement, thus avoiding traffic congestion and lessening public danger?

I am advised that any general construction of loop lines on tramways to enable passengers to be taken up or set down near the pavement would be likely to have the effect of increasing traffic congestion and to be a source of danger to other users of the road.

Is my hon. Friend aware of any area where these loop lines are in operation?

Has it not been a fundamental policy of those responsible for tramway accommodation to see that there is always at least the usual 9 feet 6 inches for the purpose of avoiding any accidents?

I would not say that it has been the universal policy, but certainly it is thought desirable.

Road Classification

57.

asked the Minister of Transport how many miles of roads were classified Class I and Class II, respectively, for the first time in 1929, distinguishing between those roads which were previously unclassified and those whose classification was altered from Class II to Class I, or vice versa?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

In England and Wales the comparative mileages as at 1st April, 1928, and 1st

April, 1929, were:

1stApril, 1928.1st April, 1929.Increase.
Class I Roads19,66919,829160
Class II Roads12,11412,244130

In Scotland the mileages were:—

16th May, 1928.16th May, 1929.Increase.
Class I Roads5,8596,167308
Decrease.
Class II Roads3,6333,56172

It would not be possible without considerable expenditure of time to furnish particulars of mileages of roads altered from Class II to Class I or vice versa or declassified, and I hope that my hon. Friend will not press for these details.

Motor Traffic (Accidents)

66.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of persons killed on the highways of this country during 1929 by mechanically-propelled vehicles?

The figures asked for are, for England and Wales, 5,369, and for Great Britain 6,016.

Is it not the case that the greater number of these are killed by vehicles going at less than 20 miles an hour?