Source: https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1921/jun/06/road-construction
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 16:02:59+00:00

Document:
HANSARD 1803–2005 → 1920s → 1921 → June 1921 → 6 June 1921 → Commons Sitting → TRANSPORT.
asked the Minister of Transport what progress has so far been made with arterial and bye-pass road construction in the Metropolitan Police area how many men are now employed; and how much longer will be required for the completion of these works at the present rate of construction?
As the answer is a long one, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ 1. Brentford Bye-pass.—This bye-pass, some 5 miles in length, is being constructed by the Middlesex County Council, the work having been let in two sections to contractors. Good progress was made so long as it was possible to obtain fuel to keep mechanical appliances at work. To some extent, the shortage of fuel has meant a reduction in the number of men employed. It is believed that the whole scheme will be completed within a period of two years.
§ 2. Croydon Bye-pass.—This work, 4 miles in length, is in the hands of the Croydon Borough Council, and is being carried out by direct labour. Good progress is being made, and it is hoped that the whole road will be completed by the end of next year, with the possible exception of the bridges.
§ 3. Eastern Avenue, 8 miles in length.—A short section of this work is in hand in the Borough of Hackney, upon which fairly good progress is being made. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in getting other parts of the work put in hand, the local authorities being in many cases unable to find their required contribution. These difficulties, having now been overcome, the work has been placed in the hands of contractors who will, so soon as it is possible to get adequate supplies of fuel, be engaging labour. Two years will probably be required for the completion of the work.
§ 4. Eltham Bye-pass, nearly 4 miles long.—This work is being carried out by the London County Council, and good progress has been made. The road has been formed for about two-thirds of its length, and the whole will shortly be ready for the foundation work. A year hence the road should be ready for traffic.
§ 5. New Cambridge Road.—A 7-mile length of this road is being constructed by the Middlesex County Council, commencing in the Urban District of Tottenham and passing through Edmonton and Enfield to the Hertfordshire boundary. A great part of the excavation work has been completed, and the foundations are in progress for a considerable 1488 distance. The sections, so far as they can be completed without having to demolish property, will be made available for traffic at the earliest possible moment. All temporarily incomplete sections will be connected up to existing roads so that they may be ready for use before the complete scheme becomes an accomplished fact.
§ 6. New Chertsey Road.—A short length of this road on the north side of the Thames is in course of construction by the Middlesex County Council, and should be completed early next year.
§ 7. North Circular Road.—Several miles of this route are in hand in the Urban Districts of Willesden, Hendon, Southgate, Edmonton, and Walthamstow. Preparations are in hand for an extension of the work through Finchley. It is probable that it may take two years to carry the scheme to completion.
§ 8. Shooter's Hill Bye-pass, 3 miles long.—This work is being carried out by the London County Council, and is well in hand. Whilst it will not be entirely completed, it should be available for traffic by the summer of next year.
§ 9. South Circular Road.—A short section in the Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich is nearing completion, but it has not yet been possible to make definite arrangements for its extension.
§ 10. Western Avenue.—Work now in progress in Hammersmith and Acton should be completed this year, and it is anticipated that town planning procedure will safeguard the future extension of this road westwards to Uxbridge.
§ 11. Barking Bye-pass.—About 4 miles in length, connecting Canning Town with the London-Tilbury Road near Dagenham. As in the case of the Essex portion of the Eastern Avenue, this road has been put out to contract, and the work is now being begun. It should be completed within a year.
§ The number of men employed upon the foregoing schemes is about 2,000. A considerable part of the foundation work having been completed, it has been found necessary to reduce hands, but with the opening of the work upon the Barking Bye-pass and Eastern Avenue, it is hoped that employment will be found for a considerable number of men who are unfortunately at present out of work in the districts through which these sections of road will pass.
Could not the right hon. Gentleman take advantage of the work of the Roads Advisory Committee to help him? How long is it since it sat?
I do not quite know what the hon. Baronet wishes. Is it in answer to the question about bye-pass roads?
Back to THAMES CONSERVANCY (REVENUE).

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