Local Government Reform (Hansard, 4 April 1984)

§ 7. Mr. Spearing
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects to publish the results of his consultations concerning the future ownership and management of bridges, tunnels, ferries and piers, currently the responsibility of the Greater London council.

§ Sir George Young
This is primarily a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. We are still considering the responses to our White Paper, "Streamlining the Cities", and we shall announce decisions on the future arrangements for particular functions in due course.

§ Mr. Spearing
Is not the Minister aware that there are 16 bridges, five tunnels and 10 piers run by the GLC, together with the Woolwich free ferry, which serves my constituents in Silvertown and North Woolwich? It also carries 1 million vehicles a year at a cost of £2 million. Is he suggesting that these costs be carried by local ratepayers? Do not these facts suggest that we need local government to run the services that serve London as a whole?

§ Sir George Young
Most of these points fall to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, but I can say that we shall take account of the financial consequences for the individual London boroughs that take over particular bridges. I am confident that the London boroughs will be able to look after the bridges. It is not the case that all the bridges in London are run by the GLC; some are run by the City of London. I understand that my right hon. Friend has given an undertaking that the Woolwich ferry will continue.

§ Mr. Bottomley
Would my hon. Friend agree that, if the Government are to have to take a view on the ferry, the piers and the landing stages, it would be rather more 952 helpful if the GLC would allow the employees of those services to talk to staff of the Departments of Transport and of the Environment rather than trying to keep them in purdah?

§ Sir George Young
I agree absolutely with what my hon. Friend has said.

§ Mr. Cartwright
Is the Minister aware that there was no mention of the Woolwich ferry in the consultation documents? In view of the concern that the lack of a clear statement by his colleagues at the Department of Transport has aroused, can he assure the House that the Woolwich free ferry will continue as a free service?

§ Sir George Young
This is a matter that falls to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. I understand that the Department of Transport has said that it is considering the future arrangements for the ferry but has given an undertaking that it will continue.