One-way Traffic (Oxford Street, Bond Street, and Regent Street)

HC Deb 27 June 1962 vol 661 cc1146-7

35. Mr. Burden

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has regarding the introduction of one-way traffic in Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street in the west end of London.

Mr. Marples

I announced, in August. 1961, an outline scheme for one-way working in Oxford Street and part of Regent Street. I received a number of representations and counter-suggestions. I am considering these as well as the detailed implications of one-way working.

A scheme for one-way working, which included Bond Street was announced in April of this year. I am awaiting the views of the Westminster City Council on it.

Mr. Burden

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this matter is causing grave concern to business interests in the area, including the stores, and that already a contrary view has been expressed by traffic consultants about the benefits of a one-way traffic scheme in Oxford Street? Before my right hon. Friend makes any final proposals or attempts to implement any proposals, will he give an undertaking that he will consult those who are most interested, particularly the trading interests in the area concerned?

Mr. Marples

This is rather like the Highgate scheme or any other scheme that I have proposed. There are all sorts of objections from all sorts of people. The first thing I do is to make a draft scheme which I think will be to the benefit of people as a whole. Thereafter I listen to any suggestions or counter-suggestions, and we then try to hammer out a decent solution which_will give the greatest benefit to the greatest number. If I have achieved that I have achieved something. But in the process, as the hon. Member for Bermondsey (Mr. Mellish) has said, somebody is bound to be inconvenienced. But perhaps the majority become better off.

Mr. Burden

But this is a shopping area. Will my right hon. Friend please consider the fact that it is a shopping area and that it is far more important that it should retain its character than that it should be turned into a race track?

Mr. Marples

Of course I am aware of that, but I am bound to tell my hon. Friend that when I first proposed the Pink Zone the shopping interests told me that there should be no more parking meters and that the Pink Zone should be abandoned. Eighteen months later they wrote to me saying that they wanted to meet me because they thought the Pink Zone should be extended and made permanent and that parking meters should be extended. Therefore, they are not always right in their first thoughts.