HC Deb 17 July 1956 vol 556 cc1011-2
2. Captain Pilkington

asked the Minister of Works by how much it would be necessary to widen those roads in the parks where parking is now allowed in order to permit cars to be parked diagonally; and how many more cars it is estimated this would accommodate.

Mr. Buchan-Hepburn

Cars parked diagonally would require between 19 and 20 feet of carriageway for each line of cars parked, as against about 6 feet for cars parked parallel to the kerb. If suitably widened, the roads in Hyde Park and St. James's Park at present designated for parking might provide space for about 75 per cent. more cars. This would involve large expenditure and the sacrifice of many trees.

Captain Pilkington

Does not my right hon. Friend think that there are some stretches where this suggestion could be put into force without sacrificing trees? Does he not think that any contribution to a solution of the parking problem, however modest, should be considered at the present time?

Mr. Buchan-Hepburn

I certainly agree wholeheartedly with the last part of the question, but if my hon. and gallant Friend would look at the width of the various carriageways on which there could be diagonal parking, and would do a little subtraction, he would find that there would be very little road left; sometimes it is a minus quantity.