Roadworks ahead
Page 16
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• "Today, there is nearly £2,500m worth of motorway, trunk and principal road schemes in the programme or in preparation, and hope soon to announce a further instalment of schemes for the preparation pool," said Mr. Richard Marsh, Minister of Transport, speaking at the annual luncheon of the Asphalt and Coated Macadam Association Ltd. in London last week.
"I have never claimed", he said, "that our road system is adequate, and it will be a long time before it is adequate. The plain fact is that this country woke late to the full implications of mushrooming vehicle growth and use. Now we are paying the price—in terms of inconvenience, of congestion and of safety.
"But what sticks in my throat are the. moans of the road-programme knockers. They are belittling a considerable national achievement. We have hauled ourselves back into the road business by our economic bootstraps. Does anyone now remember 1954-55 when expenditure on trunk and class 1 roads was
▪ 5m? This year, it will be around
£280m—practically twice what we spent four years ago and six times the figure for 195960" The Minister referred to disquiet among highway engineers at the cuts which had been necessary in funds for maintenance, and said: "In the longer term, we are now taking a long clear look at the whole maintenance issue. As a country we spend about £160m a year on preserving the existing road network, yet until now remarkably little attention has been given centrally as to whether this vast sum is being used to best advantage."
MAFI moves itself
• The British subsidiary of MAR, the West German handling equipment and container manufacturer, is moving office from Fenchurch Street in the City. From June 1 the postal address will be: MAFI (UK) Ltd.. 4 Broad Street Place, London, EC2 (phone: 01-588 6728/6729.