24. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will consider the making of more cycle tracks on trunk roads leading in and out of London, particularly on those sections that are new or being reconstructed.
§ Mr. NugentWe are always ready to consider the provision of cycle tracks on trunk roads where the volume of cycle traffic justifies this special facility.
Mr. Gresham CookeWill not my hon. Friend agree that on the new trunk roads in and out of London, such as the Cromwell Road extension and the Great Cambridge Road, the speed of traffic will tend to be higher and that vehicles may become rather more dangerous to cycle traffic, and as wide footpaths, which are very little used indeed, are being constructed on either side of the roads, and as there are also verges beside the roads, would it not be a good thing to consider as a next step the building of some cycle tracks along those roads?
§ Mr. NugentNormally we build cycle tracks only where the volume of cycle traffic is very heavy, and the general tendency in recent years has been for the volume of cycle traffic to decrease. There are also, of course, difficulties in 1123 the acquisition of land. However, each case is considered on its merits. For his information, I can tell my hon. Friend that the London-Tilbury trunk road, A. 13, will have a length of 4½ miles with cycle tracks.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesThe hon. Gentleman referred to the Great Cambridge Road, which passes through Enfield. The road has cycle tracks as far as Edmonton and the Great Cambridge Circus. Why is not the dual carriageway which is being built being provided with cycle tracks? There is still considerable cycle traffic along the road, particularly at peak hours when people are returning home from factories.
§ Mr. NugentI should like to look into the matter in detail and see what volume of cycle traffic there is and whether we should be justified in extending the cycle tracks.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltIs my hon. Friend aware that the sign regulations which have been in operation for six weeks contain no sign requiring cyclists to use those tracks?