HL Deb 30 June 1965 vol 267 cc852-3

2.47 p.m.

EARL FORTESCUE

My Lords, I beg leave 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 whether they are aware of the congestion caused by permanent single-line traffic on the Embankment between Battersea Bridge and Cremorne Road; and, in view of the fact that this is one of the main approach routes to the docks from North and West, whether they will consider widening the Embankment for about half a mile.]

LORD LINDGREN

My Lords, I understand that the Greater London Council, as highway authority, will be giving further consideration to plans for road improvement in this area in the light of its current investigations into a major cross-route with an interchange in the Chelsea Basin area.

EARL FORTESCUE

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply, but it is rather unsatisfactory, so may I ask whether he can let us know how soon something is likely to happen in this connection?

LORD LINDGREN

My Lords, I do not want to make the noble Lord despondent, but to be perfectly frank I cannot see any real improvement coming until the 1970s.

EARL FORTESCUE

My Lords, may I suggest that the Minister should give the Greater London Council a prod on this matter, because the situation there is acute and it appears that the only obstacle is this rather insalubrious anchorage on the edge of the Thames.

LORD LINDGREN

Yes, my Lords, but this West cross-route is part of the London "box" plan and noble Lords will have gathered from the correspondence and discussion about it that there are some objections to it. Everybody wants road improvements, but every property owner objects to any improvement taking place if his property is affected.

EARL FORTESCUE

I thank the noble Lord.