HL Deb 30 July 1958 vol 211 cc477-9

2.37 p.m.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order, Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government if they can report any progress with the road scheme to use the Kingsway tunnel as an under-pass between the Strand—Aldwych intersection, the practicability of which has now been accepted by the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation; and whether they can also say if the necessary modification to the existing tunnel can be commenced by the end of the present year.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD MANCROFT)

My Lords, the Kingsway tunnel project is now being examined by the London County Council. I understand that they will have further discussions with my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation as soon as they have considered the detailed estimates now being prepared. Until a scheme is approved it is not, of course, possible for me to estimate when work is likely to start, but my right honourable friend is anxious that this scheme should start as soon as possible.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, would the noble Lord accept my thanks for the gratifying nature of his reply? Am I to gather from it that when the scheme starts, and how long it will take when it is started, rests with the L.C.C.? If the answer to that is in the affirmative, will the noble Lord try to inject into the L.C.C. a greater sense of urgency in regard to this road scheme than he has been successful in doing with the Park Lane development scheme? Will he also take into consideration that this scheme, if it is started within the time mentioned in my Question, may save a huge expense on road works at the Gaiety crossing, which must have something done to it very soon?

LORD MANCROFT

That, my Lords, is precisely why my right honourable friend is anxious that the scheme should start as soon as possible. I am sure that the L.C.C. will take due note of the noble Lord's plea for urgency.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, may I ask whether there is anything in the present use of the tunnel that prevents the work being started? Would the noble Lord tell the House for what purpose the tunnel is used at present?

LORD MANCROFT

Storage.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

Storage of what?

LORD MANCROFT

I have not the faintest idea.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, may I say that I welcome very much the statement made by the noble Lord, Lord Mancroft, in answer to the first Question? There is now, I find, a widespread feeling among motorists that we ought to take more advantage than we can at the moment of the greatly improved facilities of the Embankment on that side of the river; and if there is this quick cut as well, to avoid the necessity of going round by Arundel Street or Norfolk Street, it will be a great facility to traffic in general.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, may I ask whether it is not a great waste of public money and resources that this tunnel should be used for furniture storage instead of as an important artery of traffic?

LORD MANCROFT

My Lords, that is precisely why we are suggesting that it should be used as an important artery of traffic.