LETTERS
From Robert Vigars, Manuela Sykes. H. J. AfacMoolson, Ronald Hallett, Alan Smith, H. A. Haworth.
A case of political blight
Sir: I was interested to read your political commentary (8 August). There are, however, some real problems which have so far not been appreciated.
Immediately section 28 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1968 came into force on 1 April 1969, giving new (but still for this purpose unsatisfactory) powers for the acquisition of land and the payment of
government grant, my colleagues and 1 determined to use them to remedy the worst of the problems created by the construction of Westway, at that time already far advanced. There followed a weary battle:
first with a bureaucracy determined (as ever) not to create a precedent, and then with the Ministers of a dying Government, to obtain authority to proceed and a promise of grant. As to the latter, even a negative decision would have been helpful because it would have cleared the decks for action by us, but decision came there none until 17 July 1970, twenty-nine days after the general election. It was negative, but nothing daunt- ed, on 21 July 1970, only four days later and seven days before the opening of Westway, the council resolved to acquire without the benefit of grant the properties seriously
affected. No demonstrations were needed to convince us of the need for that decision and indeed none had taken place.
In anticipation of the council resolution, the council's officers had been authorised on 16 July 1970 to write to all owners and tenants affected to ascertain which owners would be willing to sell and which tenants would require rehousing. It then transpired that some owners (including some owner- occupiers) did not wish to sell. There arose from this a legal problem and fundamental political problems. To solve the legal prob- lem, (i.e., could the council buy by agree- ment some of the houses if there were a risk of objection to compulsory purchase by the owners of others?), officers sought the opinion of counsel. A favourable opinion was received on 5 August 1970 and within twenty-four hours the officers were auth- orised to proceed with acquisition and re- housing by agreement.
As the local Gt.c member for the area, as well as chairman of the Environmental Planning committee, I kept in touch with Mr George Clark and the local residents throughout. Demonstrators could do no more to bring their views to my attention be- cause the strength of local government lies in the ready access of ratepayers to their local members—the members who are re- sponsible for the decisions taken or to be taken.
The fundamental problems remain to be solved and it is here that both demonstrations and serious thought can help. Demonstra- tions to convince the Government of the urgent need for wider powers and financial help. Serious thought to determine the ex- tent of the powers. Is it right in such circum- stances to compel reluctant owners or owner- occupiers to sell against their will? If not, but purchase from willing vendors proceeds, for what purpose are the purchased proper- ties to be used? It may be impossible to de- molish if others remain. Should they be used for housing tenants who are prepared to accept the conditions? Will they not shortly raise the same complaints and re- quests? Will the houses not remain an affront to civilised opinion? What then?
What criteria are to describe the houses to be dealt with? Contrary to many press reports, it was not noise alone 'which made the Westway houses intolerable; noise is worse in many 'desirable residences' on the North Circular Road, the Kingston By-pass, Western Avenue itself, or a thousand other main roads in cities, towns and villages alike. Visual intrusion was an important determin- ing factor for Walmer Road and Acklam Road, but how can this be quantified?
The benefits to be brought by new roads to the Wider environment and to traffic can- not be seriously challenged but the problems for the immediate environment are real. They will not be solved by colourful reports of the demonstrations. We have our own ideas which we have long since presented to the Government. Can your readers or contributors help with others?
Committee. County Hall, London sEl
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