§ 64. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Minister of Transport whether a decision has been arrived at to close Piccadilly to traffic in the near future; if so, on what date; what is the probable duration of the stoppage; whether the business interests have been consulted in this matter; and whether he has considered the possibility of using this thoroughfare as a one-way street during the period of the proposed repairs so as to mitigate the loss to the business community?
§ Colonel ASHLEYPiccadilly has not been resurfaced for about 15 years, and the work has now become a question of urgency. Under a carefully thought out plan, work will commence on 25th July, when the volume of traffic is diminishing and at a time when the weather conditions are normally good. The Westminster City Council have arranged that the work shall be done in sections, and that all the sections should be completed 32 within a period of two to three months. The business interests concerned have been notified of the council's proposals. The Post Office, the Metropolitan Water Board, and certain electric light and gas companies require at the same time to carry out extensive works on their own account. The possibility of carrying out the work in half-widths has been carefully considered, but in view of the magnitude of the operations, the engineering difficulties, and the delay in completion that would be involved, it has been decided that such a course is impracticable, and would not be in the interests of traffic nor, in my opinion, would it be in the interests of the traders themselves. I would add that the Westminster City Council and all the undertakers concerned have agreed to work day and night while the work is in progress.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLECan the right hon. Gentleman give any guarantee that the work will be finished in two or three months, or three months at the outside?
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo. But I can give a guarantee that it will be done as quickly as possible. The only cessation of work in the 24 hours will be where there are houses where people are sleeping.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLECan the right hon. Gentleman give a guarantee that it will not exceed four months?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI think I had better be put in the witness box and cross-examined.
Sir F. HALLConsidering the large number of unemployed, would it not be possible to increase the number working on it, so as to reduce the time in which the work will be carried out?
§ Colonel ASHLEYAll the men who can be usefully employed will be employed.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSWould it not be more economical in the long run to employ sufficient men, so that all sections may proceed simultaneously?
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo, I [...] this The difficulty of dealing with and[...] closing such a[...] very great indeed,[...] able.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the work be carried on in two 12-hour shifts or three eight-hour shifts?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI must have notice of that question.
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNHow much money has been earmarked from the Road Fund for the purpose?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI think it is carried on entirely at the expense of the West-minister City Council, with a classification grant.