§ 53. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what plans he has for the speedy relief of traffic congestion at Victoria Gate, Hyde Park, W.2, in peak hours.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI have received no grant application for a scheme at this point, but the congestion here should be considerably reduced by the work which I hope to see carried out between Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch.
§ Mr. RussellHow long is it going to take? Is my right hon. Friend aware that this junction is getting worse and worse every week, and before any large- 1293 scale improvement can be carried out there will be an almost complete standstill?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIt is a difficult point. My hon. Friend will gather from my answer that the promoting authority in this case is not my Department but the local authority, and I have, in fact, received no application in respect of it.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonIs it not the case, as the right hon. Gentleman has said, that the real remedy is an improvement from Hyde Park Corner to Marble Arch—and I am inclined to agree—but is it correct that no decision has been reached about that? I have the impression that the London County Council was favourable to it?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe London County Council has been helpful about the proposal, which I am anxious to proceed with, but there are still one or two points to be cleared up.