§ 18. Mr. Purbrickasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, with a view to saving petrol, he will reconsider the opening for public use by light motor traffic of the private road in Palace Gardens between Kensington and Bayswater?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (Mr. Noel-Baker)Before this road could be opened for public use, even by light vehicles, its reconstruction would be required. Neither traffic needs nor the saving of petrol would justify the necessary expenditure. In view of the acute shortage of labour and materials, only works essential to the war effort can be undertaken at the present time.
§ Mr. PurbrickIn view of the fact that nearly all the houses in this street are unoccupied, and the traffic for which the road was made thereby reduced to a minimum, surely its condition would permit of other light traffic without any great expenditure?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThe initial expenditure for the reconstruction of the road would be about £20,000, and there would be other heavy expenses. The reconstruction would involve two T-junctions at the ends of the road, to which the police object, and there are other objections.
§ Mr. StokesIs it not a fact that this road has already been repaired by the military?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerNot in the way in which it would need to be repaired for general traffic.