HC Deb 19 April 1961 vol 638 cc1157-8
21. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Transport what further consideration he has given to the necessity of restricting to wide roads and to certain periods slow-moving large vehicles and vehicles of exceptional length in order to avoid serious congestion and dangerous passing.

Mr. Hay

In view of the comments put forward by some of the interests concerned on the proposals we circulated last year, we are considering how far the burden they would impose on industry can reasonably be modified.

Mr. Sorensen

Quite apart from the burden on industry, does not the hon. Gentleman appreciate the great burden upon both motorists and pedestrians in many parts of the country as a result of the severe congestion caused, sometimes involving a hold-up of half an hour or more? In the circumstances, is it not his social duty to try to take action in the matter?

Mr. Hay

Yes, Sir. That is precisely why we have circulated these proposals for new regulations. The position now is that we have received representations from industrialists and others, and we are seeing whether we can come to a mutually agreed scheme whereby we shall have tighter control over these loads but without placing on industry too heavy a burden.

Mr. J. T. Price

Is the Minister aware that, about three years ago, on two occasions, one of his predecessors at the Ministry of Transport assured me that this urgent question was being considered by an inter-Departmental committee and the report of that committee was awaited very shortly. We have had "very shortly" and "soon" and "perhaps" several times today. What I am referring to occurred three years ago, and it is on record in HANSARD. Apparently, nothing has been done. Is the hon. Gentleman and his right hon. Friend aware that I have recently seen examples of railway locomotives, railway rolling stock, carried on vehicles with over 100 wheels on the highway A.56 and coming south holding up three miles of traffic, and that this sort of thing goes on all the time?

Mr. Hay

The hon. Gentleman is quite wrong to say that nothing has been done. As I have explained, following the report to which he refers, we have prepared new draft regulations which will give the Minister much greater control over the movement of this type of vehicle. We have circulated them. We have received a large number of representations. We are now engaged in considering those representations and we shall very soon come to a decision and make an announcement about what our proposals are.