§ 22. Mr. Danceasked the Minister of Transport what further systems of tidal flow and other experiments in traffic engineering he is considering introducing in the west and east London areas with a view to casing traffic congestion on these approaches to London in advance of the computer-controlled traffic signals coming into operation.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettWe have announced proposals for further traffic schemes in the west and east London areas to ease traffic congestion. One of these is for a form of tidal flow on Hammersmith Bridge. Many other schemes are under consideration.
I cannot say how many will come into operation before the start of the experimental computer-controlled signals scheme in west London, which we hope will be in 1966. As from 1st April, 1965, of course, the Greater London Council will be responsible for traffic schemes in London.
§ Mr. DanceWill my hon. and gallant Friend convey to his right hon. Friend our thanks for the experiments that he has made with one-way streets, and so on, but also convey to his right hon. Friend the fact that appalling congestion occurs in the east of London? I refer to the road coming in from Chingford, where there are some ghastly intersections. Can something be done to improve the position?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI appreciate the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question. I will certainly investigate conditions on the road which he has mentioned. I should explain that one difficulty about tidal flow schemes of the kind that he has in mind is that they require roads with a width of not less than five lanes, and in London there are very few stretches of road as wide as that. Where there 1271 are, there are often fairly solid central reservations, and it is impossible for tidal flow schemes to be instituted until they have been removed.