HC Deb 25 July 1956 vol 557 cc391-2
26. Mr. Russell

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation at what hours of the day traffic delays at Hyde Park Corner are estimated to have been reduced by 30 per cent. between 1925 and 1954.

Mr. Watkinson

The comparative figure of traffic delays at Hyde Park Corner which I gave to my hon. Friend on 18th July was based on the results of a number of sample runs made at different times of day. Those in 1954 were taken by the Road Research Laboratory and those in 1926 by the police, but these were averages and cannot be related to any particular time of day.

Mr. Russell

Would not my hon. Friend agree, therefore, that the reduction of the delay may not be anything like as much as 30 per cent. during the peak hours, when it is worse? Would he not agree also that some of this reduction is probably due to the fact that now there is no horse traffic, as there was in 1925? Would he not agree that that is still an appalling place to drive round today, and cannot steps be taken to make an early improvement?

Mr. Watkinson

I agree with the third thing which my hon. Friend said.