MR. GOLDSMIDasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he has adopted either of the various plans for a new road from Hamilton Place to Grosvenor Place, whereby the constant stoppage of the traffic at Hyde Park Corner may be avoided?
LORD HENRY LENNOX, in reply, said, the present Government had come to no decision in the matter, and had no plan before them. He found that a plan had been laid before his predecessor in office, the right hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. Adam), and that he came to a decision with respect to it, which, however, was not adopted by the Government of which he was a Member. He had no doubt the right hon. Gentleman would be able to give more correct information on the subject than he possessed.
§ MR. ADAMsaid, he had given the fullest consideration to the matter during the Recess, when a plan had been proposed by the Metropolitan Board of Works for carrying a road from Hamilton Place to Constitution Hill, with branches opening towards Grosvenor Place and Buckingham Palace. He brought the plan under the consideration of the late Government, but they felt it was too great a question to take up at the time. He might state that the Duke of Westminster had taken very great interest in the subject, and was disposed to deal in the most liberal manner with any proposals which might be made. After the plan to which he referred had been submitted to his notice, he had an interview with the agent and surveyor of the Duke, and they had recommended a plan which would, to some extent, also interfere with the use of the Park. He at the same time ventured to suggest two plans, which he might, perhaps, now submit to the notice of his hon. and gallant Friend the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board (Colonel Hogg). The first was that the roadway at Piccadilly should he turned before reaching the Archway, and that the road should be made to pass between the Archway and the Green Park, leaving the Archway standing out in an isolated position with a road on each side. That would effectually relieve the traffic at Hyde Park Corner. It would necessitate a new entrance to Constitution Hill and a new gateway, and would be rather expensive. There was a much simpler plan which he would suggest, and which could be carried out in a few weeks. Between the Archway and the roadway in Piccadilly there was a very broad pavement, and also a piece of garden ground. The pavement was broader than was necessary for the foot-passenger 349 traffic, and this might be thrown into the roadway at Piccadilly, making-a pavement for foot passengers where the present garden ground was, and doing away with the bit of gravel foot-path at the corner of Grosvenor Place—a place which would greatly relieve the traffic, although it was not one which could be recommended as a permanent improvement.
COLONEL HOGGsaid, he would be glad to give his best consideration to the suggestions of his right hon. Friend if he were furnished with the requisite plans.