HL Deb 18 February 1964 vol 255 cc755-7

2.38 p.m.

LORD CONESFORD

My 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—

  1. (1) what is the estimated increase of traffic along Oakley Street that will result from the proposed tidal flow across Albert Bridge;
  2. (2) whether they have taken the increase of traffic along Oakley Street and King's Road into consideration in siting a new fire station near the junction of these roads;
  3. (3) whether the area to be served by the fire station includes any area south of the Thames; and
  4. (4) if so, by what route fire engines from the station will cross the Thames during the period when Albert Bridge is given over to northbound traffic.]

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, It is estimated that the proposed tidal flow arrangements for Albert Bridge will increase the traffic in Oakley Street by some 150 vehicles an hour during the morning and evening peak periods. This represents increases of 21 per cent. and 15 per cent., respectively. The siting of this fire station is the responsibility of the London County Council as fire authority. I understand that the site was purchased in 1940 and that the order for work to commence was placed in June, 1962, shortly before the tidal flow proposals were announced. I understand that the area to be served by the new station is wholly to the north of the River Thames, except for purposes of support. On occasions when support is given South of the river, this would principally be to the area between Battersea Park Road and Albert Bridge Road, and for this purpose appliances can conveniently use Battersea Bridge.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, may I thank my noble friend for his Answer and ask him this? Is he aware that 1,400 vehicles an hour are already passing along this part of the King's Road at peak periods before the increase that he mentions? Secondly, do the Government still intend to have tidal flow traffic over Albert Bridge and to open this new fire station? And, if so, are they satisfied that these two proposals together make sense? Finally, is their satisfaction shared by the fire authority?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, my noble friend asked a number of supplementaries. With regard to the last one, the fire authority are satisfied that the arrangements of the tidal flow will not impede the services which they will be called upon to give. I have forgotten the other three questions—would the noble Lord be good enough to remind me?

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, my first question was whether the Government were aware that 1,400 vehicles an hour were already passing along this part of the King's Road before the increase mentioned in my noble friend's original Answer; and my second was whether the Government propose to proceed with both these schemes and, if so, whether they are satisfied that together they make sense.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, of course, the flow of vehicles along King's Road has been taken into account. The object of taking the tidal flow across Albert Bridge is in order to increase the movement of traffic and, if it is increased, presumably that would facilitate the movement of fire appliances.

THE EARL OF SANDWICH

My Lords, is not the tidal flow under Albert Bridge and not across it? How does it come about that my noble friend Lord Cones-ford, who hates neologisms, uses this form?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I would not be able to answer the last question of my noble friend, but with regard to the first, of course, it entirely depends on what method of transport one is using.

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, is the noble Earl not aware that his first Answer means that the increase of traffic in Oakley Street amounts to one vehicle per second? When these changes are decided on, are the views of the inhabitants of the area considered? Because this means virtually that life will not be worth living for the people in Oakley Street.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, before any alterations of this nature are brought into operation a number of different points of view are taken into account, one of which is the movement of traffic, and I have no doubt that in this instance another is the representations which have been made by the people who live in Oakley Street.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, is it not a fact that the fire authorities are sufficiently worried by the prospect for them to be asking that they should be able to work the traffic lights from inside the station?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I do not think the fire authorities are usually the people responsible for working traffic lights.

LORD MORRISON OF LAMBETH

My Lords, can the noble Earl say whether the Chelsea Metropolitan Borough Council, which I think is the local authority concerned, has concurred in this new scheme?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, the fire authority is the London County Council.

LORD MORRISON OF LAMBETH

My Lords, I know that; but with respect I was not talking about fire. I am talking about the highway and the points of possible congestion to which attention is drawn by the noble Lord, Lord Conesford, in his Question. The Chelsea Metropolitan Borough Council, if I remember rightly, is the highway authority. Has it concurred in this scheme of the Ministry of Transport?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I have not at the moment the information which the noble Lord requires, but I will certainly find out and let him know.