§ 2.36 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any measures in mind to ensure that if and when the Okehampton to Padstow railway is closed, traffic on the narrow winding section of the A.30 road is not unduly delayed by motor vehicles whose engine power is insufficient to move their loads up the hills at a reasonable speed.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)My Lords, the Railways Board has not yet given the statutory notice of its intention to withdraw passenger services on this line, so to that extent the Question is at present hypothetical. But, on the general issue, my noble friend no doubt knows that my right honourable friend has set up a Committee which is considering the prescription of maximum weights for individual goods vehicles, and I know that they have the question of a power/weight ratio very much in mind.
LORD HAWKEMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for his hopeful and helpful reply. Has he any idea when this Committee is likely to report?
§ LORD CHESHAMThat I cannot tell my noble friend, because, as I have explained to the House before on the 896 question of the introduction of a plating scheme, to prescribe the individual weight limit for individual vehicles is very complicated and bound to take some time.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, whilst I welcome the second part of the noble Lord's Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that it is not only a question of the weight and power of these lorries, but of the suitability of roads? This particular road, 68 miles long, is on the edge of Dartmoor and is frequently impassable in winter, with gradients of one in eight and one in ten. Are these also not important considerations to take into account?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I agree with the noble Lord that they are questions to be taken into account, but I was relating the Question to the power/weight ratio of lorries.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, is it not a fact that the Committee which is looking into the plating system and to which the noble Lord referred was set up some twelve months ago? Can the noble Lord say why it is taking so long for this Committee to report, and can he say how often this Committee has sat?
§ LORD CHESHAMOff hand, no, I could not, but I have explained this to the House before. A system has to be devised whereby every existing vehicle can be plated, and the administrative part of this task is formidable.
LORD HAWKEMy Lords, to move from the general to the particular, although the measures outlined by my noble friend undoubtedly may prove a palliative in the rest of the country, would he also bear in mind the necessity, on this particular hilly and narrow road, of trying to do a bit of widening on the hills in order that there are passing places?
§ LORD CHESHAMYes, indeed; that is why one such improvement has already been carried out. Two more are in the programme, and two or three more are contemplated but not yet in the programme.
§ LORD STONHAMReverting to plating, the difficulties of which the noble Lord explained at considerable 897 length in a debate during last Session, can he say whether the reference he made to this subject in a speech made, I believe, last week means that we are likely to have an announcement fairly soon?
§ LORD CHESHAMNo, my Lords, I cannot say that. All I can say is that we do regard this matter, as do your Lordships, as of considerable urgency.