HC Deb 03 February 1960 vol 616 cc982-3
30. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Minister of Transport what further rules he proposes to enforce to get a speedier flow of traffic along Eastern Avenue, and the approaches from the East Coast.

Mr. Hay

Apart from the new waiting restrictions on Eastern Avenue itself, we are considering a clearway experiment on lengths of the approach to it from Southend, which will total over 16 miles.

Mr. Ridsdale

Is my hon. Friend aware that in Eastern Avenue we have an excellent dual carriageway, and could he see whether it is possible to cut out a number of roundabouts, side turnings and interceptions to enable much better use to be made of the existing facilities?

Mr. Hay

That is a pretty tall order. I think we ought to consider our clearway experiment first and see how we get on.

Mr. McAdden

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind—with due respect to my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich (Mr. Ridsdale)—that this Question is wrongly phrased? We do not want my right hon. Friend to enforce more rules: we want him to relax some of those which already exist. Is my hon. Friend aware that before improvements were carried out on Eastern Avenue it was a derestricted area and that since the road has been improved the speed limit has been reduced to 40 m.p.h.? Will my hon. Friend look into this?