ROAD MAINTENANCE CHARGES FOR OMNIBUSES.
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t!it a meeting of the Association of Municipal Corporations the Law Committee, reporting on " omnibuses : road Adoption charges," said in a number of local Acts passed in recent years authorizing corporations to run omnibuses beyond. the limits of their boroughs, provisions had been inserted, generally at the instance of county councils, requiring contributions to be made
. (1) Towards the 'cost of maintaining roads over which the omnibuses are run, and
(2) Towards the cost of reconstructing and adapting theseroads for the purpose.
In the last session of Parliament, how ever, the obligation to contribute
anything *towards the cost of maintenance was omitted,.the obligation to contribute towards the cost of reconstruction or adaptation such an amo-unt, it any, as might be agreed er determined by the Minister of Transport being re
tained. By rirtue theiPinance Act 1920, and of the Roads Act, 1920, large sums have now to be paid annually into the Road Fund in respect Dftlicences for mechanically propelled, vehicles, that fund being appliCabletOWards the construction of new roads and the maintenance and improvement of existing roads. In consequence, no doubt, of this provision, a section of the 1920 Roads Act enacts that " Where any persons are, ;whether by virtue of any Act or otherwise, liable to pay any sums, by way of
mileage charges or other annual payments, in respect of the use of any road by their vehicles, the Minister may, on an application by those persons in that behalf, aii&after considering ,any objections -made by any person. interested, suspend, modify or, .determine the liability to make the payment, as he shall think fit."
In view of these circumstances, the Law Committee continued, a further consideration-of the matter is clearly desirable, and the Minister of Transport has invited the County Councils Association and the Association of Municipal Corporations to attend a meeting,
The report was adopted, and representatives appointed to discuss the subject with the Minister-of Transport.