§ 2.38 p.m.
THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans for improving the approaches to the British European Airways Terminal in Cromwell Road.]
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, an experiment introduced last November to improve traffic movement from the East into the Air Terminal, without unduly delaying the flow on the main road, has had good results. No other traffic measures are at present contemplated in the immediate vicinity. Any road improvements on the approaches to the Terminal would be a matter for the highway improvement authority, the London County Council.
THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, I hope the noble Lord appreciates that I rather regret that this cannot be improved. Am I right in assuming that British European Airways are doing very well in commercial traffic and making a lot of money? Would it not be reasonable for them to pay a little more attention to the comfort of the passengers who travel with them? The right-hand turn from Cromwell Road is a very difficult approach to a very extensive building, and I should have thought a better approach to a building of that kind would be more in character.
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I am glad to agree that B.E.A. are doing well. It was simply to improve the conditions that my noble friend describes that this improvement was introduced.
LORD REAMy Lords, the noble Lord has said that there is to be nothing done on the East side of the Terminal. Can 1205 he say whether anything is being done to speed up the traffic: on the West side between the Terminal and the airport?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, if I understand the sense in which the question is asked, there is no problem in regard to traffic coming from the West.
§ LORD BOWDENMy Lords, is it practicable to contemplate a connection between the Terminal and the local Tube station, which is conveniently near but difficult of access to pedestrians?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, we have had that question out in the past, and I am glad to say that the improvement I mentioned has resulted in considerably easier access for pedestrians.
THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he cannot bring some pressure to bear on the London County Council to improve a situation which is unsatisfactory?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I think that probably the improvement which is most needed is widening of West Cromwell Road, which is somewhat narrow for the load it is carrying. I can say that the London County Council are being asked to examine that as a matter of urgency.