HC Deb 15 August 1901 vol 99 cc922-3
LORD BALCARRES

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if the widening of Piccadilly has been already begun.

The following Questions also appeared on the Paper:—

MR. COGHILL (Stoke-on-Trent)

To ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that the congestion of traffic in Piccadilly takes place only for a few hours on a few days in the year; and whether, before any part of the Green Park is taken away, he will first try the effect of removing the cab stand and cab shelter from Piccadilly.

MR. MALCOLM (Suffolk, Stowmarket)

To ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he will consent to remark the effect upon traffic of removing the pavement upon the south side of Piccadilly before cutting down trees in the Green Park to widen Piccadilly.

MR. AKERS DOUGLAS

The answer to my noble friend is in the negative. I am now in communication with the County Council on this matter, and in the meantime all work will be stopped. My hon. friend the Member for Stoke says "that the block only takes place for a few hours on a few days in the year," but I would say that my own experience, as well as that of traffic experts, differs entirely from this; whilst the removal of the cab stand and shelter would in no way abate the congestion at Hamilton Place, which it is the chief object of the scheme to relieve. My hon. friend the Member for Stowmarket can hardly have seen the effect of his suggestion, which would cause the removal of all the trees now on the pavement, the majority of which will be saved under the County Council scheme, while the relief given to the traffic at Hamilton Place would be infinitesimal.

MR. MALCOLM

asked what was the use of widening Piccadilly for the purpose of traffic if they still left the trees on the south side.

MR. AKERS DOUGLAS

It is proposed in the scheme of the County Council that the greater number of the trees shall stand on refuges in the centre.

LORD BALCARRES

Will the First Commissioner receive a deputation on the subject?

MR. AKERS DOUGLAS

I shall be glad to receive a deputation of any Members of the House to-morrow to explain the scheme to them.