HC Deb 20 May 1946 vol 423 cc1-3
1. Air-Commodore Harvey

asked the Minister of Transport what arrangements are being made to deal with the increased motor traffic in the West End of London.

The Minister of Transport (Mr. Barnes)

The Police will continue to do what they can to ensure the free and safe flow of traffic through the West End of London. The provision of additional parking spaces, which is the responsibility of the local authorities, will also help to relieve the congestion caused by waiting vehicles, and I have already asked the authorities to take urgent action in this way.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that when petrol comes oft the ration—I say "when "—the traffic conditions will be much worse? In the meantime, will he undertake to see that horse-drawn traffic is taken off the streets in the West End, both from the point of view of the horses and of the motorists?

Mr. Barnes

I tear that is one of the problems of increased motor transport. I shall have to give further consideration to the point about horse-drawn traffic.

Mr. Bowles

Is my right hon. Friend aware that before the war there was a regulation in the Road Traffic Act limiting the time for parking to two hours, and will he consider not reimposing that, because it means that people have to move their cars every two hours at least?

Mr. Barnes

I should require notice of that because the more parking spaces are used for longer periods, the greater the congestion that may be caused.

21. Squadron-Leader Sir Gifford Fox

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to assist motorists using the West End of London and to avoid unnecessary prosecutions resulting from police raids on parked motor cars in.that area, he will, at the earliest opportunity, prepare a scientific parking scheme for the congested area of Metropolitan London, indicating the sides of the streets which may be used for parking motor cars during hours of the day or night and for what periods.

Mr. Barnes

The responsibility for providing adequate parking accommodation rests with the local authorities concerned, and I have already asked them to take urgent action.

Sir G. Fox

Is the Minister aware that the Piccadilly area at midday is a complete chaos, with hundreds of cars whose drivers are looking for somewhere to stop? Will he look at Jermyn Street, where there is a very good one-way street, and see if that can be copied?

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