§ 53. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he is taking to minimise traffic congestion in central London while road repairs are being completed.
§ Mr. NugentIn accordance with the London Traffic Act, 1924, after the advice of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee has been obtained, the starting dates of the major road resurfacing and repair works of local authoties in the London Traffic Area are coordinated at intervals of six months. Statutory undertakers must comply with the provisions of the Public Utilities Street Works Act, 1950, which permits the highway authority to control the starting date, and requires advance notice to be given to the police.
1216 All possible action is taken by the local authorities and the police to minimise the delay and congestion which such works inevitably cause.
§ Mr. LiptonWill the Joint Parliamentary Secretary say which expert in the art of disruption decided that Holborn and the Strand should be dug up at the same time? Was not it quite crazy to add this almost insuperable handicap to the already difficult traffic congestion which prevails in central London? Is there any real co-ordination despite all the Statutes and authorities to which the hon. Gentleman referred in his reply?
§ Mr. NugentYes, Sir; as far as possible these activities are co-ordinated. The Strand work has had the additional complication of Metropolitan Water Board work which had not been entirely phased in with the other work.