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The Government's Post-war Roads Policy

4th February 1944
Page 19
Page 19, 4th February 1944 — The Government's Post-war Roads Policy
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AST week, Mr. 1'. J. Noel-Baker, Joint Parliamentary Secretary, -M.O.W.T,, made the following statement in the House of Commons on the Ministry's post-war roads policy :- Proposals to improve andextend the roads system must, in the first place, be viewed in relation to the efficiency and development of our inland transport system as a whole. Such proposals must also be framed with full regard to the interests of town and country planning, the location and requirements of industry, including agriculture, and other aspects of national development. In the Government's opinion, there is a clear case for" extending the present trunk roads system, and it has in mind, in consultation with the county councils, to frame legislation which would substantially increase the existing mileage of trunk roads (about 4,5(0 miles), which is at present vested in the Minister. Where a bypass, which forms a link 'in a trunk road, passes through the area of a county borough (or in Scotland,. through a large burgh) it will probably be found right to vest this section also in the Minister, Discussions will be opened at once with the highway authorities to select the additional roads to be scheduled 'as trunk roads. To secure the full advantages of new developments, it may also be found necessary to plan some new trunk roads, where the line of the existing road is not satisfactory. The possibility of simplifying the present somewhat complicated system of grants to highway authorities, is being reviewed, Consideration had been given to the proposals made in various quarters for the construction of a new system of motorways to relieve the pressure on our existing. main roads. Whilst the Government does not think there is sufficient justification for embarking upon the construction of a widespread system of entirely new roads reserved exclusively for motor traffic, it is satisfied that it will be expedient 'and economical to construct suitable lengths of road of this type. There is a strong case for reserving exclusivelyfor motor traffic some of the by-pass and other roads designed to enable motor traffic to avoid passing through built-up areas. The roads of the country have, on the Whole, stood up well to the heavy demands of war, but there will inevitably be large arrears of Work, both of maintenance and improvement, to be carried out, as conditions permit: The rate of execution of the highways programine must be adjusted from tithe to time to genetal economic conditions, but, without imposing any undue rigidity, the following order of priority will be a good guide during the transitional period:— (1) Overtaking the arrears of maintenance; (2) the resumption of works closed down during the war, if that be still desirable; (3) works .essential to public safety or to the reconstruction of blitzed areas, and works of special value to areas in urgent need of new industrial development; (4) the elimination of obstructions to traffic on important roads, snch as weak or narrow bridges, level crossings, and the linking up of improved sections of roads on important traffic routes; (5) other, works of improvement of high economic value. The Government intends to encourage the preparation of major schemes of improvement, including some which are not at present considered of high priority, so that these schemes may form part of _a long-term and comprehensive programme of public works. Highway authorities will be encouraged to proceed at once with such preparations as are 'possible in present circumstances to enable the policy outlined to he Pursued as 'rapidly as may be practicable

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