Catalogue description Ministry of Transport and Successors, Highways N Division: Registered Files

The Highways N division was established in 1962 as part of a reorganisation of the highways function within the Ministry. This was brought about by the large scale increase in the trunk road programme in England at this time. The reorganisation saw a move away from national control of the road programme to one based on a more geographical split of duties. As such Highways N were responsible for an area covering approximately the Northern half of England.

They also dealt with policy matters affecting trunk roads generally and for co-ordinating the trunk road programme and progressing its implementation within agreed limits. HN division was also responsible for the Trunk Road Master Programme and dealt with miscellaneous questions not specifically allocated to other divisions.

In 1964 Highways Management B Division replaced Highways N. It continued to use the HN prefix and it retained its geographical basis. Its work changed slightly however. Responsibility for the Trunk Road Master Programme passed to the General Planning Highways division. The division was now responsible for the Trunk Road Maintenance and Minor Improvement Programme. It was also responsible for the policy and implementation of winter maintenance measures, street lighting policy and for lighting agreements with local authorities in respect of trunk roads. It also dealt with claims by and against the Minister involving damage or accidents concerning trunk roads, and administered the provisions of the Public Utilities & Street Works Act 1950.

In 1965 there was a comprehensive restructuring of the highway organisation. This saw the establishment of headquarters divisions with engineering and administrative staff exercising joint responsibility. Schemes under £1,000,000 were now under the control of regional Divisional Road Engineers (DRE).

The Trunk & Classified Road Division (TCR), which took over most of Highway Management B's work retained the HN prefix. It was directly responsible for schemes over £1,000,000 and liaised with the DREs on the other schemes. TCR division fixed the routes of trunk and special roads and made orders on side roads affected by them. It was also responsible for the line of bridges and tunnels across navigable water. The division examined schemes for grant under s. 235 of the Highways Act 1959 and had some responsibility for discretionary grant for land acquisition under the Town & Country Planning Act 1960. Work to do with lighting, Public Works, winter maintenance and maintenance was retained. The division also had some responsibility for the planting on trunk roads and motorways and gave assistance to the Landscape Advisory Committee on such matters.