§ 2.40 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware that over 320,000 motor vehicles were registered last year for the first time; whether they are aware that at least as many more are likely to be registered for the first time this year. Can they state what plans the Government have in contemplation to deal with the very serious road situation which is already arising in certain areas, owing to traffic congestion, and which is certain to be largely accentuated if this rate of increase continues, with its ultimate effect upon the motor car industry.]
§ THE EARL OF BIRKENHEADMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government are aware of the increase in new registrations of motor vehicles. They have various plans designed to relieve congestion by means of major road improvements, including by-passes, widening of existing 195 roads and improvement of intersections, which my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation hopes to put into operation, or, where the initiative rests with local authorities, to approve and assist from the Road Fund as rapidly as financial conditions permit.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, may I ask whether I am to understand from the noble Earl's Answer, that the situation is precisely the same as it was on April 1 of this year when he gave me very much the same sort of Answer? All the time the problem is getting worse. Do Her Majesty's Government not realise that this matter has its own effect on the cost of living and also on the accident rate? Cannot the noble Earl give us some idea as to when Her Majesty's Government will really tackle the question in the way it must be tackled eventually?
§ THE EARL OF BIRKENHEADMy Lords, I can assure the noble Earl that Her Majesty's Government are perfectly well aware of these facts. I would say, if the noble Earl would like a little further comment on this matter, that at the moment there is an accumulated backlog of road plans amounting to many millions of pounds which have been held up by the severe restrictions on capital investment and Government expenditure which have been maintained in recent years. Among these plans are many proposals which would do much to relieve congestion by the provision of by-passes and, as I said, the widening of existing roads and improvement of intersections. Some useful improvements have already been effected by installing new and improved traffic light signals at intersections. I should like to remind the noble Earl that in this approach to the heart of the matter he is asking me to give him a detailed answer about the whole complex problem of the network of roads in this country, and this is scarcely an appropriate moment for me to attempt to do so. I assure the noble Earl once again, however, that Her Majesty's Government are well aware of these matters and are doing their best to cope with them within the limits of their means.
§ EARL JOWITTCould a list be published showing the major projects now in contemplation? I realise the financial 196 difficulties. Naturally, these plans can be carried out only as and when finance permits; but it would be of interest to some of us to know what are the major projects now in contemplation.
§ THE EARL OF BIRKENHEADI shall be pleased to ask my right honourable friend to satisfy the noble and learned Earl on that point.
§ LORD MATHERSWill the noble Earl make sure that provision for a Forth Road Bridge is included in those major items?
§ THE EARL OF BIRKENHEADWe always have great sympathy with Scotland.
§ EARL HOWEMay I remind the noble Earl that on April 1, 1953, he told me that the County of London Plan, 1943, contained a statement that in New York the estimated cost of delays to traffic total £70 million a year, and that if a similar estimate for London were made it would probably be found to be of the same order?
§ THE EARL OF BIRKENHEADI do not recall that particular remark, but I am certain that if I made it, it was justified in every possible way. I shall be pleased to look into the matter again and attempt to satisfy the noble Earl; but I am afraid I do not remember that particular remark.
LORD FARINGDONWill Her Majesty's Government consider whether, in fact, without any expenditure of capital money it would not be possible considerably to relieve congestion, particularly in our cities, by an improved traffic code more strictly enforced?
§ THE EARL OF BIRKENHEADI think that that matter has already been considered.
LORD FARINGDONIf the noble Earl drives very much in London, he will know how excessively ill-controlled is our traffic.
§ THE EARL OF BIRKENHEADI have no doubt of that