HC Deb 20 June 1973 vol 858 cc656-9
5. Mr. Dykes

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the establishment of the advisory routes system for heavy lorries.

34. Mr. Moate

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the establishment of the advisory lorry routes system.

Mr. Peyton

Discussions are continuing with the haulage industry. Meanwhile, by the end of August advisory routes for lorries will be signposted in eight of our major ports. Also, in a recent circular local authorities have been reminded of their powers to restrict lorry movements and parking, and a review initiated on the exercise and impact of existing regulations.

Mr. Dykes

I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply. Does he agree that the advisory route system should be wider and should proceed very fast? Further, does he agree that it could fit in very effectively and successfully with longer-term administrative and legislative proposals and that there should be a much more fundamental national approach to lorry routeing and zoning?

Mr. Peyton

I take note of what my hon. Friend suggested. I also take the opportunity of acknowledging the valuable contribution that he has made towards the solution of the problem.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the last few weeks there has been a considerable number of accidents involving large heavy lorries? Further, is he aware that many of those lorries came from the Continent? Does he agree that many accidents happen because such lorries are using totally unsuitable routes? What will the Minister do about this?

Mr. Peyton

Improve our road system as quickly as possible.

Mr. Moate

Does my right hon Friend agree that the success of the advisory route system will depend largely on the co-operation and good will of the haulage industry? Does he not consider that stronger measures should be taken for drivers to be advised of the most suitable routes, particularly drivers arriving at the ports?

Mr. Peyton

As I said in my original answer, we are moving towards what my hon. Friend is asking for.

Mr. Skinner

How can the Minister declare that the Government will improve the roads as quickly as possible when a few weeks ago his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer declared in the House, in unequivocal terms, that the road expenditure programme, not only for this year but for next year, will be cut drastically? Is he aware that local authorities have had a circular telling them precisely how to do that?

Mr. Peyton

The hon. Gentleman puts his point with the unexampled and unrivalled charm for which he is so well known.

Mr. Skinner

Answer the question.

Mr. Peyton

If the hon. Gentleman really thinks that his question is worth asking, he might wait for the answer. The answer is that the total amount spent on the road programme will continue to increase.

10. Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to local authorities advising them on the use of their powers to prohibit heavy lorries on minor roads.

Mr. Peyton

One was issued last month.

Mr. Clark

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, but does he realise that life in many villages on minor roads is intolerable, due to their use by large lorries, and that no matter how much these minor roads are improved he will not improve the situation? Will he not take even firmer measures with the local authorities?

Mr. Peyton

I am always prepared to consider any possible course of action to deal with a problem which I am sure the hon. Gentleman recognises is very difficult.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Will my right hon. Friend take measures to encourage the breaking of bulk at fly-offs on the motorways, particularly for the large lorries which come from Europe and from various manufacturing centres in the United Kingdom, so that smaller lorries can be sent on to the minor roads?

Mr. Peyton

I take note of what my hon. Friend has said.

Mr. S. James A. Hill

Will my right hon. Friend make sure that when these heavy lorries are diverted from minor roads to major roads, the signs, certainly in port areas, are given in the main European languages?

Mr. Peyton

I shall consider that most carefully.

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