§ 11. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to residents of Barking by the construction of a flyover at Lodge Avenue; what exchanges he has had on this matter with the council of the London Borough of Barking; why representations and correspondence from that council's officers were repeatedly ignored by his Department and not acknowledged; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Keith Speed)Yes, Sir. We appreciate and regret that major roadworks inevitably cause some inconvenience to residents in spite of efforts to mitigate these effects. None of the representations made by the council has been 663 ignored. Meetings attended by representatives of the council to discuss the works were held on 4th April and 2nd June.
§ Mr. DribergWill the hon. Gentleman say what efforts were made to mitigate this particular inconvenience, which is of a very extreme nature? Some of the people living nearby cannot get in or out of their front doors because the works come right up to their houses. There is not much mitigation there.
§ Mr. SpeedVarious works were carried out to pavements, for example. There should be a substantial improvement by September, when one of the carriageways will open. This is a major road scheme for a three-quarters of a mile heavy traffic route, and the responsible engineers and my Department have been working hard with the borough to try to make the inconvenience to residents as little as possible.
§ Mr. DribergWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for that answer, so far as it goes, may I point out that September is a long time away? Does the hon. Gentleman realise that ambulances and fire engines cannot get through, either?
§ Mr. SpeedIt is a long time, but we are pressing on with this complicated and expensive scheme as quickly as possible. September is the earliest possible date, bearing in mind all the considerations.