§ 32. Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Transport what short-term and long-term plans he has for improving the flow of traffic through Waltham Abbey in Essex.
§ Mr. SwinglerEssex County Council, as the authority responsible for traffic management, is now considering a one- 1404 way traffic system. An improvement of High Bridge Street now in progress should be finished by about the end of next year. My right hon. Friend has recently written to my hon. Friend about the long-term prospects for extending the D-Ring Road east of A.10, where the section due to be built in the next few years will end.
§ Mr. NewensIs my hon. Friend aware of the great need for bringing forward the date of the construction of the D-Ring Road to carry through traffic in this area, since the narrow streets of Waltham Abbey are unsuitable, even with a one-way system, to carry through traffic?
§ Mr. SwinglerMy hon. Friend knows the tremendous demand on limited funds. We would like to see the D-Ring Road programme carried out as soon as possible but it is impossible to say now when it will be done. In the meantime, at a cost of £130,000, work is in hand to remove bottlenecks in High Bridge Street.