§ 2. Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Transport what proposals, alternative to the introduction of one-way traffic in Oxford Street and neighbouring streets, he has received for the relief of the traffic congestion in Oxford Street and its vicinity.
§ Mr. MarplesI have received various suggestions for reducing crossing and turning traffic, for confining Oxford Street to buses and other heavy vehicles and for prescribing other routes for through traffic. I am considering these suggestions as well as the detailed implications of one-way working. I hope to make a further announcement shortly.
§ Sir W. WakefieldI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Can he give any indication when he will be able to give a firm answer? He will appreciate that considerable anxiety has been aroused because of the uncertainty about any proposals that may be made, and that the sooner he can make a statement the better it will be.
§ Mr. MarplesI quite agree with my hon. Friend, but this is an important scheme, and it would be wrong to decide it too hastily. A substantial number of comments and alternative suggestions have been made, and I am 1297 examining them with great care. I would remind my hon. Friend that every traffic scheme which is announced arouses opposition. For that reason we always have a six months' experiment. If it fails we are quite prepared to revert to the former situation.