Ministry of Transport and successors, Highways A Division: Registered Files

MT 110

1937-1976

This series includes files concerning the highways aspects of development plans, financial arrangements for roads in new towns, highways in Greater London and grant applications for major improvements and new construction.

Some files in this series have been re-registered in the LH series in

MT 106

HA Series

Public Record(s)

English

• Department of the Environment, Highways Management A Division, 1970-1976
• Ministry of Transport, Highways A Division, 1960-1964
• Ministry of Transport, Highways Management A Division, 1964-1970

125 files and volumes

Subject to 30 year closure unless otherwise stated

In 1997 Department of Transport

Topics

Road Transport

Transport management

Planning (Land and Property)

Distinct highways divisions first emerged in 1937, and between that date and 1960 were organised on a functional rather than a geographical basis. In 1960 however the Highways Administrative Division was reorganised on a regional basis with Highways 'A' Division being responsible for a geographical area broadly covering London, Buckinghamshire, Kent and East Anglia. In 1963 it took over responsibility for the rest of South-east England from Highways 'B' Division. Early the following year changes were made in the Headquarters organisation that deals with highway matters. Joint administrative/engineering heads of the Highway Organisation were appointed and several of the Headquarters Divisions were reorganised on an integrated basis with administrative and engineering staff exercising joint responsibility. The Division was replaced by the Highways Management 'A' Division covering Wales and the Southern and East Midland areas of England.

On classified roads the Division was responsible for the examination and approval of grant applications from highways authorities for the maintenance, improvement and construction of classified roads and bridges under the Highways Act 1959 and for 'planning blight' grants towards the acquisition of land, under the Town and Country Planning Act 1959. Work connected with trunk roads was dealt with under the Highways Act 1959 and concerned the administrative work involved in the planning and construction of trunk roads. The Division was also responsible for consideration, with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, of the highways aspects of development plans drawn up under the Town and Country Planning Acts and for advising the Ministry on planning matters where there was a highways interest for example, new towns and national parks.