E60m. a Year for Roads After 1961
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EEXPENDETURE on British roads in 1961 will be about five times what it was last year, according to figures given in the House of Commons. last week. by Mr. Harold Watkinson. Minister of Transport. He said that over the past four years, n*or and new construction had cost about £12.3m. annually, but expenditure this year was likely to be "well over £40m."
The programme for next year would cost more than £50m„ and in 1461 it would be over £60m. The intention was that, after 1961, the programme should be planned on a basis of not less than £60m. per year. Despite difficulties, the Government intended to press on with the problem of improving the country's road network.
Mr. Watkinson also promised to give more help this year to local authorities for repairing and maintaining existing roads.
The Roads Campaign Council have welcomed the news about increased expenditure on roads. They say that the Government have gone halfway towards what is actually required for Britain to have an efficient road system within 20 years—£3,500m.