HC Deb 17 November 1954 vol 533 cc365-6
16. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what percentage of the width available along the Victoria Embankment is taken up by the two carriageways.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Approximately 57 per cent., Sir.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the diagram, displayed in the Library of the House, of the construction of these carriageways showed a carriageway amounting to less than 57 per cent. of the space available? Will my right hon. Friend look back to the answer he gave to Question No. 7—that the main requirement of London traffic is increased road space—and will he not agree that to have 43 per cent. as pavement space is not using road space for traffic?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I was under the impression that the reconstruction of the Victoria Embankment had greatly improved traffic circulation. Various factors limiting the precise width of the roadway had to be taken into account, including the preservation of trees.

Mr. Ernest Davies

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the forbidding of parking on the carriageways, because traffic does not move as quickly as it should since the reconstruction? After reconstruction parking was permitted, whereas previously it was not permitted.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I fully appreciate that point, but I should not like to give a direct answer without notice.