§ 2. Mr. Sharplesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he proposes to take in order to relieve traffic congestion by Storey's Gate. S.W.1.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. G. R. H. Nugent)Congestion has already been considerably relieved by the prohibition of the right turn into Storey's Gate and by the removal of the gates at the entrance of St. James's Park. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Works also proposes to set back the gate pillars from the edge of the carriageway, and this, by providing more space and better visibility, should help the flow of traffic still further.
§ Mr. SharplesWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that it is still possible to be held up there for up to 20 minutes in the morning? Would he consider prohibiting traffic turning right into the Horse Guards approach and stopping cars parking in the narrow part of Great George Street?
§ Mr. NugentI will certainly consider my hon. Friend's suggestions. There is a very considerable volume of traffic wanting to turn right into the Horse Guards approach. I should need to think twice before stopping that. At that hour of the day there is very little parking in Great George Street which is interfering with the flow of traffic.
§ Mr. LiptonCan the Parliamentary Secretary point to any single practical achievement during recent months by way of reducing London's traffic congestion, apart from the rationing of petrol and the towing away of a few cars? Is not the Minister of Transport himself becoming London's biggest traffic jam?
§ Mr. NugentIf the hon. Member will study the Answer I gave to this Question, he will see that we have made a considerable improvement here.