HC Deb 31 May 1954 vol 528 cc892-3
43. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he now proposes to take to increase the flow and speed of traffic in the Central London area.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Hugh Molson)

I am not at the moment able to add anything to what I said in my speeches in the Adjournment debate on 15th April, and on the Motion debated on 28th May, except that, with my right hon. Friend's agreement, the police now hope to experiment with the prohibition of all waiting on five specified lengths of street and at five important junctions during the worst hours of congestion.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Is my hon. Friend aware that the House will watch this new experiment with interest? Will he not be diverted from any intention which he may have to make further experiments, either in this or any other direction, to overcome what is becoming a very difficult problem?

Mr. Follick

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the system of marking "No parking" on certain streets means that the side streets get cluttered up on both sides with vehicles so that there is very little room for the traffic to go through? Will he ensure that when he is barring some streets he does not divert all the traffic into neighbouring streets?

Mr. Gibson

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that the way to improve the flow and the speed of traffic would be to permit the very extensive road improvements which everybody agrees it is necessary to do quickly?

Mr. Molson

I certainly will give my hon. Friend the Member for Shrewsbury (Mr. Langford-Holt) the assurance that we shall not be discouraged in trying to bring about an improvement in what is a very serious position.

Mr. Follick

May I have an answer?

Mr. Molson

I have observed that when one prohibits waiting in one street there is a tendency for there to be waiting in another street. In reply to M the hon. Member for Clapham (Mr. Gibson), I would say that the whole question of the London Plan is for the London County Council and not for the Ministry of Transport.