Rational Road-planning The national control of the trunk roads of
Great Britain, which were taken over by the Ministry of Transport last year, is already bearing satisfactory fruit. The fact that uniform methods can now be adopted lends importance to the report published this week by the Trunk Roads Joint Committee, which has sufficient authority to command the respect of Parliament, and an appreciation of local beauty which is rare in official bodies, and would be surprising if one forgot that the Committee was composed of delegates from the Council for the Preservation of Rural England and The Roads Beautifying Association. The report reveals a full realisation of the importance of future planning for speed, uniformity of surface and the provision of subways or flyovers and of adequate lighting. But more noteworthy are the detailed plans for preserving that variety of scenery which is, or should be, England's—and Scotland's—glory. The suggestions put forward in respect of tree-planting, or not planting, the various road curbings to suit different types of country, and the sensible idea that roads should, if possible, take a line from which notable views could be obtained, would, if adopted, not only prevent any further devastation of the country, but actually increase beauty and demonstrate that progress is still compatible with civilisation in its broader sense. * * * *
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