ROAD TRANSPORT MATTERS IN PARLIAMENT.
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THE Secretary for Mines, Commodore King, states that there are at least eleven different systems of low-temperature carbonization of coal represented in this country by plants, either in existence or stated to be in course of erection, with a capacity of from 10 to 250 tons a day. No definite information is available as to the present output or the potential capacity, but the total capacity of such plants now in working order is probably less than 1,000 tons a day. There are some half-dozen other systems in the experimental stage dealing with from one to ten tons a day and many others existing on paper or on a laboratory, scale. He understands that the total number of processes which have been proposed exceeds 200.
The London Traffic Act and the Road Traffic Bill.
THE Government is not yet in a position to say whether a Bill will be introduced this session to amend the London Traffic Act or whether the Act will be continued under the Expiring Laws Continuance Act. The Road Traffic Bill is in an even more doubtful position as regards legislation during the present session.
Petrol Filling Stations.
TN the Committee stage of the Petroleum -Amend1 ment Bill in the House of Lords considerable discussion took place upon Clause 5, which permits a county or borough council to make by-laws regulating the design and appearance of petroleum filling stations for the purpose of preserving the amenities of any rural scenery or place of beauty or historic interest for the enjoyment of the public.
Lord Montagu of Beaulieu moved an amendment to exempt from the clause Jilting apparatus wholly within buildings licensed for the storage of petroleum, but the Government opposed it on the ground that the scope of the Bill will be seriously In a new definition clause, 'petroleum filling station" was defined as "any premises or place used or intended to be used by way of trade or for purposes of gain for fuelling motor vehicles with petroleum and indudes any building, advertisement pump or other apparatus in or used in connection with any such premises."
Other minor amendments were agreed to and the Bill ordered for report.
A Long-delayed Glasgow Improvement.
THEcontractor is to commence within the next week on the work of constructing the bridge over the Forth and Clyde Canal on the AnnieslandDuntocter Road, Glasgow. Through traffic on this new road, which was completed about two years ago, is now within sight. .
Accidents and Driving Tests.
SPEAKING on the question of tests for drivers, the Minister of Transport said that, so far as he was aware, there was no evidence to show that any substantial proportion of accidents resulting from dangerous driving of motor vehicles was due to any want of capacity on the part of the drivers such as would be disclosed by a driving test.
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London Classified Roads and Restrictions.
THE Minister of Transport states that the respective length of Class I and Class II roads in the County of London, including the City, are 262 miles and 128 miles. Nearly all the Class I and Class II roads in the county area and in the City are restricted for motorbus traffic either directly or indirectly by reason of the restriction of other streets giving access to them. The number of motorbuses plying for hire in London at the end of 1927 was approximately 4,500. No reduction has been made in the aggregate number of motorbuses thus plying for hire, but, owing to regulations made in respect of certain tramway routes, 57 motorbuses have been withdrawn from services on those routes. The proprietors have been permitted to place these vehicles into service again on other routes which are not congested. No proposals are under consideration for increasing the aggregate number of motorbuses in service in the central area.
Issue of Driving Licences.
IT is officially stated that no alteration in the method of issuing motor driving licences is under consideration pending the introduction of the Road Traffic Bill.
Barking By-pass Road.
THE Minister of Transport states that the work of road construction on the new by-pass road from Beckton Road to Ripple Road, Barking, Essex, was begun in 1921 for the relief of unemployment, but the bridge over the River Boding, which forms part of the scheme, could not he put in hand until Parliamentary powers had been obtained in 1923. This bridge having recently been completed, it is anticipated that the entire road will be opened to traffic in a few days' time.
New Railway Bridge at Sanderstead.
REPRESENTATIONS have been made in favour of inereasing the width of the proposed railway bridge on the Limpsfteld road at Sanderstead (Surrey) from 50 ft. to 60 ft., but the Minister of 'Transport states that he is not prepared to require the railway company to build the bridge of greater width than 50 ft., as agreed with the Surrey County Council and the Godstone Rural District Council.
Road Fund Grants. •
IUTANY representations from local authorities .1.V1have been received by the Minister of Transport in favour of increasing the percentages of grants for construction and maintenance of. classified and unclassified roads, but it is pointed out by the Minister that grants for Class II roads were raised last year from 25 per cent. to 33? per cent. The percentages authorized last year are being continued this year and it is not proposed to make further increases.
Russian Motor Spirit.
ACCORDING to the Board of Trade, the imports of motor spirit registered as consigned from Russia during the first three months of 1926, 1927 and 1928 amounted to 7,520,000 gallons, 7,514,000 gallons and 8,113,000 gallons respectively.