HC Deb 10 July 1972 vol 840 cc1158-60
11. Mr. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to ensure the provision of special entry roads into cities and large towns for heavy lorries and commercial tanker vehicles.

Mr. Peter Thomas

I am considering in conjunction with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister for Transport Industries the possibility of introducing a system for the routing of heavy vehicles.

Mr. Gower

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that very encouraging reply, but does he not deem it a tremendous advantage that in parts of France—for example, in the large towns and cities—heavy goods vehicles are segregated at the entrance to suburban areas and diverted from residential areas and houses?

Mr. Thomas

I was not aware of that, and I should be grateful if my hon. Friend would let me have any information he has about it.

Mr. John

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman also realise that much of the most dislocating effect is on small towns such as Llantwit Major where heavy vehicles go through narrow streets completely disrupting the life of communities as well as endangering the lives of the inhabitants, and that more must be done to bypass such towns to save people from inconvenience and danger?

Mr. Thomas

I am fully aware of the difficulties in many towns, and it is one of the reasons why we are pressing ahead as fast as resources allow with such improvements as bypassing towns.

25. Mr. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what study he has made of the special entry roads into cities and large towns in Western European countries for heavy lorries and commercial tanker vehicles; and what conclusions he has reached.

Mr. Peter Thomas

I have made no specific study of the position in Western Europe, but I will be glad to look into any particular point my hon. Friend has in mind.

Mr. Michael Foot

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think that if his hon. Friend the Member for Barry (Mr.Gower) is so concerned about the ravages that might be done by these heavy lorries he should not have voted so assiduously for the passage of the European Communities Bill, and will the right hon. and learned Gentleman confirm that he and his hon. Friends voted against a Clause designed specifically to retain some remnant of parliamentary control in this House to try to deal with this question?

Mr. Thomas

The matter which is concerning my hon. Friend relates to special entry roads into cities and large towns in Western Europe, and this is a matter about which I am anxious to learn. As I told my hon. Friend, I shall be glad to look into any point that he has in mind. If we can benefit from anything that my hon. Friend has seen happening in Western Europe to assist in overcoming this problem, naturally we shall be only too glad to look into the matter.

Mr. Gower

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that, contrary to the advice given by the hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. Michael Foot), the safeguards for which I ask are provided within France, which is one of the countries in the Common Market?