§ 53. Mr. Boardmanasked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation to restrict the movement of road vehicles carrying exceptionally long and wide loads to the hours between 7 pm. and 7 a.m.
§ Mr. HayThe police already have power to control the time of movement of vehicles carrying wide loads, and we have circulated proposals which would give them the same control over long loads. I think that we should leave this to their discretion in the light of local circumstances.
§ Mr. BoardmanIs it not the fact that despite the efforts of the police, these abnormal loads—abnormal lengths and abnormal widths—are cluttering up the roads at peak traffic hours? Is it not completely crazy that this practice should be allowed to continue?
§ Mr. HayWith respect, I think that the hon. Gentleman is not quite right in saying that these loads clutter up the roads at peak traffic hours. Wherever humanly possible, the routeing and timing of these loads are adjusted to ensure that that does not happen. However, as I say, we are discussing the whole problem with the interested authorities, and I think that my right hon. Friend will be in a position to make a statement very soon.
§ Mr. BoardmanIf the hon. Gentleman doubts my statement on this subject, would he very much mind talking to the police in Lancashire and Cheshire and in that way finding out what is going on? In the North-West, this is a daily occurrence.
§ Mr. HayI would hesitate to answer for the police in Lancashire and the North-West. I can only say that my information is that, wherever possible, movement of these loads at peak traffic hours is avoided, in the interests not only of the traffic but of the police themselves.