Computer-controlled Traffic Systems (Hansard, 24 October 1988)

§ 6. Mr. Batiste
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in introducing computer-controlled traffic systems.

§ Mr. Peter Bottomley
Thirty towns and cities in Britain use SCOOT—split cycle and offset optimisation technique 7 —which responds to changing traffic. Other British systems are being used and developed on motorways and elsewhere in the interests of safety, the environment and easing congestion.

§ Mr. Batiste
My hon. Frend may be aware that at the time of the abolition of the West Yorkshire metropolitan county council I expressed the desire that its important pioneering work in the computer control of traffic should be continued and developed. I am delighted to hear thar the work is spreading. Will he confirm and bring to the attention of local authorities the dramatic improvements that can be made to traffic flow in cities that introduce effective computer control of traffic?

§ Mr. Bottomley
Yes. This is an area in which Britain leads the world. Our system is being used from Canada to China, and I hope that it will be used even more widely in Britain. It is spreading quite quickly.

§ Mr. Flynn
Will the Minister confirm that if computer control techniques had been used the shaking of the Severn bridge into early senility would not have taken place? Can he confirm what the Secretary of State said, namely, that regardless of future traffic predictions the second Severn crossing will be built in the mid-1990s?

§ Mr. Bottomley
The hon. Gentleman is perfectly aware of the position. He should have welcomed my right hon. Friend's statement before the summer recess, which provided the opportunity for the private sector to come forward with proposals. The hon. Gentleman gives the impression of damning the present bridge with faint praise. In terms of axle weights and numbers of vehicles, the bridge carried much more than was expected. It was a great success, and when it has been strengthened it will be even more successful. The whole House looks forward to the opportunity for extra crossing capacity, especially if it can be provided earlier by the private sector.