§ 35. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent the volume of traffic in High Road, Leytonstone, has increased during the past two and ten years, respectively; particularly, in view of the heavy morning incoming and evening outgoing traffic, what statistical information he has in respect of increase in passenger cars during those hours; what consideration has been given to serious congestion mounting during forthcoming years; and the long-term plans to deal with this.
§ Mr. MolsonI am sorry that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available. Traffic at a census point about a quarter of a mile south of the junction of Church Lane and High Road, Leytonstone, increased by about 32 per cent. between 1938 and 1954, and the number of private cars increased by about 21 per cent. The long-term plan to improve this important exit from London is the construction of the Eastern Avenue extension.
§ Mr. SorensenI am aware of that proposal. Is there any other proposal, in view of the fact that the whole of that area is rapidly becoming a bottleneck? If the Joint Parliamentary Secretary could go down there in the morning I am sure he would be most alarmed at the prospect.
§ Mr. MolsonI told the hon. Gentleman recently that the survey for the new road is making good progress. I do not think that it will be possible to deal with the situation until we build the new road.