HC Deb 26 February 1946 vol 419 cc1718-9
5. Squadron-Leader Sir Gifford Fox

asked the Minister of Works whether he will consider redesigning the entrances into the Royal Parks, with a view to accelerating the flow of traffic and enabling advantage to be taken of modern dual carriageway construction; and whether he will give an assurance that the Royal Parks will not be surrounded by iron railings, the reason for the retention of these being in the past as a bulwark against civil disturbances and strikes.

Mr. Tomlinson

I am not aware that the entrances to the Royal Parks generally are inadequate for present traffic requirements, and I am not anxious to see the volume and speed of traffic within the Royal Parks increased. As regards the latter part of the Question, whilst I cannot accept the hon. Member's reasons for the former existence of the railings, there is no intention of restoring them at present.

Sir G. Fox

Is the Minister aware that the entrances into Hyde Park are complete bottlenecks and out of date for modern traffic requirements, and that I have not asked for a speed limit to be increased in the Park?

Mr. Tomlinson

Bottlenecks do not exist only there, but in other parts of London as well, and I do not think they are all due to the park entrances.