§ 2.51 p.m.
§ LORD SORENSENMy 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 what stage has now been reached in respect of road reconstruction affecting Epping Forest; how long this reconstruction will take; whether all parties affected are satisfied that the amenities of the Forest will be preserved; and what steps are likely to be taken to prevent traffic on the prospective road-plan being impeded by wandering cattle.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND (LORD HUGHES)My Lords, the Minister's programme includes four road improvement schemes affecting Epping Forest. One, the realignment of the North Circular Road at Waterworks Corner, Walthamstow, is expected to start in the autumn and to take about two years. The new road will be fenced off from the Forest and cattle grids placed so that cattle do not enter the new traffic route. Bridges and subways will be provided to enable pedestrians, horse-riders and cattle to cross the road. The proposals are acceptable to the Conservators of Epping Forest and the Commoners.
The other three schemes are in various stages of preparation, but the views of the Conservators will be obtained and considered before any final decisions are reached.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask him whether he appreciates that, while Epping Forest is an invaluable amenity to millions of people, it is nevertheless highly desirable that there should be every kind of speeding up of the prospective road programme; otherwise, for two years or thereabouts, we shall be experiencing constant congestion? May I also ask the noble Lord whether I understand aright that corridors are to be made under the roadway for the benefit of cattle; and does he not appreciate that it is anomalous, 145 to say the least, that cattle should still wander into urban areas impeding traffic just as it does in Calcutta at the present time?
§ LORD HUGHESMy Lords, I am not at all certain that the views of the Minister in relation to cattle are the same as those of his opposite number in India. But I can certainly assure my noble friend that the steps which are proposed are such as to enable the maximum freedom in the Forest both for the human beings and for the cattle. I can certainly assure him also that, while it is proper that all steps should be taken to protect amenity, that does not allow interference to be made with the speed at which these projects can go ahead. It has in fact been found that the consultation on amenity takes place in a reasonable way, because it seems as if on this occasion both sides are perfectly reasonable people.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, with permission may I ask a further question? Will the amount of land that is being taken for road construction be counterbalanced by the addition of at least a similar quantity of land to the Forest, as has been the custom heretofore?
§ LORD HUGHESMy Lords, I am afraid that that is a question which I did not anticipate, nor did my advisers.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, may I assure the noble Lord that that is so?
§ LORD HUGHESMy Lords, if I were completely in my own field I should normally be very happy to accept the assurance of my noble friend. But I will certainly draw my right honourable friend's attention to his point.