Are Motor Roads Necessary?
Page 52
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WE were rather surprised at the attitude towards road improvements taken up by Lord Kenilworth, C.B.E., President of the S.M.M. and T., when replying to the toast of "The Society " given by the Minister of Transport at the Annual Motor Show Banquet.
The President was somewhat critical of writers who tend to. sugge§t that our roads are unsafe. He thought this might discourage the sale of private cars. He added that we do not require a "whole lot of quasi-military roads in this country."
That these views are not held by the majority of those connected with the industry was shown clearly by the remarks which we heard later. It was greatly regretted that the President had not taken the opportunity afforded by the Minister of putting forward a strong case for good motor roads, particularly as Mr. Burgin had invited the German Roads Delegation to send him a report on the results of its investigations in Germany.
Is it better for us to close our eyes to the obvious impracticability of so many of our main thoroughfares and continue to flood them with vehicles, or to do our utmost as an industry to persuade the authorities to provide suitable accommodation for the natural increase, and thus render road transport, whether it be for private or commercial purposes, safer for both drivers and the general public?
In any case, what is the objection to our having so-called quasi-military roads? We are not now so isolated or sufficiently poWerful as to be able to afford to neglect these obvious safeguards. In saying this we do not consider the possibilities only of an invasion. Good roads may constitute a vital factor in the well-being of this country, even in the case of a war overseas, whilst mobility is one of the essential factors in defence against raiding aircraft.