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

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.