HC Deb 05 February 1958 vol 581 c1168
33. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if the reconstruction of roadways near Whipps Cross, Leyton, will be affected by Government economy measures or if the time taken for the reconstruction will now be longer than previously announced and whether heavy traffic running on the roadway when completed will be restricted to less than the 40 miles per hour then permissible to other traffic.

Mr. Nugent

No, Sir. Work has begun and is expected to be completed by September. It has not yet been decided whether the general speed limit on this road is to be raised to 40 m.p.h., but in any case the speed limits which apply to particular classes of vehicles would not be affected.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the Minister aware that a notice at this spot indicates that the traffic limit will be 40 miles an hour? Will he look into the matter very carefully, in view of the fact that already this area has a great deal of heavy traffic running across it and that it will have more in the future, making it more liable to be very dangerous to pedestrians? Has any consideration been paid to the means of crossing over the roadway when it is finished?

Mr. Nugent

The proposal to raise the speed limit to 40 miles an hour is about to be advertised and it will then go to the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee to be considered be-for my right hon. Friend finally reaches a decision. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that all aspects of the problem will be fully taken into account before that decision is arrived at.