HC Deb 16 February 1983 vol 37 cc281-2
6. Mr. Wellbeloved

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the programme for the construction of the Thamesmead spine road with a view to ensuring the early completion.

Mrs. Chalker

The programming and priority given to this proposal are matters entirely for the Greater London council as highway authority.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Is the Minister aware that heavy traffic is imposing an increasing burden on local residents and that the attitude of the GLC is a cause for widespread dissatisfaction? Will the hon. Lady consider opening discussions with the GLC to see whether Mr. Livingstone can be persuaded to take a more helpful attitude towards traffic problems in Erith and Crayford?

Mrs. Chalker

I am well aware of the problems, because I have been to see the spine road and the area to which the hon. Gentleman is referring. However, before the Department can consider funding, the GLC must include this scheme in its transport policies and programmes. Until the GLC gets on to this and puts it into its TPP, I am powerless to help. When it does so, I can help.

Mr. Wilkinson

Does my hon. Friend agree that the interests of Londonders and of the country would be better served if the GLC attended to the matters for which it does have responsibility, which responsibility it carries out poorly, such as roads, instead of spending ratepayers' money on groups such as Babies against the Bomb and other freakish outlandish organisations which are a complete waste of ratepayers' money?

Mrs. Chalker

I agree with my hon. Friend. I hope that Londoners will take careful note of where the money that they provide as ratepayers is being spent by the GLC.