HC Deb 07 June 1967 vol 747 cc1057-8
24. Mr. Berry

asked the Minister of Transport how many of the additional car spaces being provided during 1967 at London Transport station car parks will be in multi-storey car parks.

Mr. Swingler

None, Sir.

Mr. Berry

Would not the Minister agree that it will be essential that multistorey car parks are provided at these stations in order that commuters may travel on the underground? Is not that the only solution? In the construction of multi-storey car parks will he also bear in mind the needs of local residents and the necessity to ensure that commuters use those car parks?

Mr. Swingler

The hon. Gentleman may well be right. This is a matter for the commercial judgment of the Board. In 1965 the Board told the Select Committee that it did not regard it as a commercial proposition because it was not allowed to provide services for motorists. My right hon. Friend has undertaken to deal with that in forthcoming legislation and this may influence future plans of the Board.

32. Sir R. Russell

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent the station car parks provided in recent years by London Transport for commuters are used to capacity; and how far there has been a reduction of parking in surrounding streets.

Mr. Swingler

I am informed by the London Transport Board that the overall occupancy of their station car parks is about 55–60 per cent. The extent to which parking in surrounding streets is reduced varies from place to place.

Sir R. Russell

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it varies a great deal in the Wembley part of the Borough of Brent, for example? What plans has he for ensuring that there is less parking in streets where there are station car parks?

Mr. Swingler

As a result of discussions on the Transport Co-ordinating Council, the G.L.C., with the agreement of the Transport Co-ordinating Council, has sent out questionnaires to all London boroughs on the point raised by the hon. Gentleman. This is a serious problem of co-ordination between the boroughs and the London Transport Board and we hope to have further proposals shortly.