§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish, or arrange to have published, maps of London and other great cities indicating places of serious congestion, thus enabling motorists to arrange alternative routes for themselves to avoid these places.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)My Lords, this interesting suggestion has been considered before, but producing congestion maps which would be both reliable and not too complicated would involve over-corning real difficulties. These include changes in the location of places of serious congestion from time to time, and indeed from one part of the day to another. There has, therefore, been a general preference for maps positively recommending through-routes. The motoring organisations themselves work on these lines, and a Ministry of Transport map of through-routes in the London Area has been available since 1953.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. Is it not a fact that in the other place the Minister himself said there were nine places, particularly in London, where congestion occurred, which are not shown on any particular map now issued?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I think that rather proves the contents of my original Answer. It is extremely difficult to produce a map which is accurate, owing to the shifting nature of congestion that takes place on roads.
§ LORD BOSSOMI thank the noble Lord for that answer.