Closing of Northern Irish Roads to Bus Traffic.

27th March 1928, Page 113

27th March 1928

Page 113

Page 113, 27th March 1928 — Closing of Northern Irish Roads to Bus Traffic.

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A provision of considerable importance to those concerned . with the bus and heavy-vehicle traffic in Ulster is contained in the Roads Improvements Bill which was recently introduced in the Northern Ireland House of Parliament. A clause of the Bill provides for the closing of certain roads in rural districts to heavy vehicular traffic without the necessity of a public inquiry, and this is apparently intended to facilitate the restriction of bus traffic upon third-class roads which have

previously been used by passengercarrying vehicles generally to the great advantage of persons living in the localities thus served.

The main object of the Bill is to ensure the safety of the roads. It provides, amongst other things, for the compulsory acquisition of land for the widening of corners, the provision of parking places, etc., and simplifies the system raider which local authorities can exert the powers they already possess in these respects. That the Government realizes how acutely the Bill will affect bus traffic is evident from the fact that the greater part of the speech of the Minister of Home Affairs in introducing the second reading was devoted to heavy motor vehicles. He referred, amongst other matters, to the increase of the speed limit for buses from 12 m.p.h. to 20 m.p.h.

It is expected that more opposition will be forthcoming when the Bill reaches its later stages. •