§ 24. Mr. Iremongerasked the Minister of Transport what arrangements she proposes to make to give the residents of Havering Gardens Estate, Ilford, access to the main bus route that passes their doors, to save mothers with young children the 20-minute walk necessitated by the present layout imposed upon the developers by the planning authority at her behest.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. Stephen Swingler)The London Borough of Redbridge, at my right hon. Friend's request, is examining the possibility of providing more convenient pedestrian access between the estate and Eastern Avenue via Somerville Road and Havering Gardens.
§ Mr. IremongerIs the Minister aware that this will not quite serve the purpose? Does he realise that what is happening and will continue to happen is that mothers and children are climbing over and through the so-called unclimbable fences, and that this is very bad for morale generally? Does she not agree that it would be far better to have a gate, with a lock, through which people could pass and be allowed to do what they are going to do anyway?
§ Mr. SwinglerWe think that the provision of proper footpaths could provide quicker access and would solve the problem, but the hon. Gentleman may be right. If it proves not to be so, we shall have to consider other solutions.