HC Deb 29 May 1957 vol 571 cc380-1
5. Mr. Russell

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what plans he has for constructing underpasses to relieve traffic congestion in the central London area.

Mr. Watkinson

In the central area itself the Knightsbridge-Piccadilly underpass at Hyde Park Corner has been agreed. Fly-overs or fly-unders planned for outside this area will, of course, affect traffic conditions within it.

Mr. Russell

Has my right hon. Friend considered the Thames Embankment at the end of some of the bridges, particularly in the Chelsea-Vauxhall area? Does he not consider it wide enough for underpasses, and will he do everything possible to see whether they cannot be built there?

Mr. Watkinson

That is a very helpful suggestion. I know that the London County Council is looking into the possibility of constructing fly-overs or fly-unders at the ends of some of the Thames Bridges, and I will draw my hon. Friend's point to the Council's attention.

Mr. Strauss

Is the Minister aware of the figures published this morning by the London police showing that there has been a 20 per cent. increase in the traffic using London in the last two years? Would he agree that if this goes on for, say, another four years, unless something far more drastic is done than has been done in the past by means of underpasses and other methods, London will reach a completely chaotic state and traffic will be at a complete standstill?

Mr. Watkinson

My own view and the view of some of the experts is that traffic in London at the moment is moving rather more freely than before rationing. [Interruption.] Yes, that is so. I quite agree with the right hon. Gentleman that there is this enormous annual increase in traffic in London, which I think he is right in saying will probably continue. That is why I propose to bring forward these very large schemes like, for example, the Hyde Park scheme, which cost very large sums of money.

12. Mr. Russell

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress is being made in widening the carriageways of the roads in the Central London area listed in his Answer to a Question on 28th February, 1956.

Mr. Watkinson

One scheme has been completed; grants have been made for three more; and I understand that a further one is likely to be carried out in the near future.

Mr. Russell

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that answer, may I ask him to press on with this matter as fast as he can? Would he not agree that a large number of unnecessarily wide pavements could be narrowed for the benefit of the carriageway?

Mr. Watkinson

Yes, I quite agree.