HC Deb 14 February 1962 vol 653 cc1310-1
41. Mr. Walker

asked the Minister of Transport whether he was satisfied with the measures introduced to speed the flow of London traffic on Monday, 5th February; and whether he intends to make some of these measures permanent.

Mr. Marples

The results of these measures varied considerably. I am discussing with the Commissioner of Police whether some of them should be reintroduced in normal circumstances.

Mr. Walker

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the motoring public is generally appreciative of the success of these measures and would like to congratulate the police authorities and officials concerned on implementing them so well? Can he consider the possibility of trying similar methods, perhaps for a complete week, so that full information on their success can be obtained?

Mr. Marples

Some of these measures were extremely successful and others were not successful. It largely depends on the number of small improvements to the road system which can be carried out, such as altering a refuge or smoothing out a corner, which demonstrated quite clearly that if we go into these improvements very carefully we can get an enormous dividend from them. In principle, there is no doubt that the one-way system would be very much better than having two-way traffic.

Mr. Lipton

Was not one of the most important contributing factors towards the traffic flow on 5th February the fact that many private motorists were frightened of bringing their cars into London on that day?

Mr. Marples

That was a contributory factor, but not the only one.

Sir J. Duncan

Can my right hon. Friend say how many pedestrians were killed and injured as a result of this new system of one-way roads in the West End? If he intends to go on with the scheme, will he make quite certain that the interests of pedestrians are safeguarded?

Mr. Marples

I could not answer that without notice, but I know that on the Tottenham Court Road—Gower Street one-way system the traffic is now nearly twice as fast as it was, accidents are 70 instead of 100, and the roads can now carry 30 per cent. more capacity. Therefore, I should have thought that the one-way system has proved itself successful.

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