HL Deb 10 November 1970 vol 312 cc600-2

3.24 p.m.

THE EARL OF ALBEMARLE

My 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 will take steps to bar heavy vehicles from entering narrow village streets bordered by ancient cottages whose windows are penetrated by diesel fumes.]

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, traffic authorities already have the power to regulate the use of roads for, among other reasons, preserving or improving the amenities of the area through which a road runs. In exercising these powers the authorities must of course have regard to the need for vehicles of any particular class to have access to premises.

THE EARL OF ALBEMARLE

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his Answer. But does he not agree about the need for direct Government responsibility in controlling which roads may be used, and in deciding which routes and narrow market towns are unsuitable, if at the same time they are trying to work with the manufacturers and the owners to get traffic across the Channel and improve our trade with our competitors overseas?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, with regard to the first part of my noble friend's question, I think that under the Road Traffic Regulations 1967, which became law in 1968, control of local roads is in the hands of local authorities. This is not the case with trunk roads, but on local roads local authorities have a power which they can use if they see fit. Of course they have to consider the amenities and access of the people who live in the towns. With regard to the export trade, we are doing our best, as I pointed out, to consider all the pros and cons.

VISCOUNT BRENTFORD

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether in considering the classification of roads suitable for these heavy vehicles, his right honourable friend will also take into account the road itself and its suitability and strength for carrying these great weights?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

Yes, my Lords, I can give the noble Lord that assurance.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

My Lords, will my noble friend take particular note of the point raised by my noble friend Lord Mansfield? Not only will these poor villagers probably be asphyxiated; they will also be entombed, because the very heavy traffic which is going through these small villages very badly undermines the houses and puts them in a dangerous state.

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

Yes, my Lords. My noble friend the Secretary of State will take that point into account. As I have said, most of these small villages are probably not on trunk roads, and in that case it is up to the local authorities.

LORD GRAY

My Lords, in the light of the Report of the Committee on Highway Maintenance, will the Government urgently consider the question of load restriction on a national basis, in order to end the use of minor rural roads by unsuitable through-traffic?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

Yes, my Lords. I think I have already said that the Government are considering proposals to restrict the size of certain traffic on certain roads.

LORD GISBOROUGH

My Lords, can the noble Lord say what are the prospects of limiting the height of vehicles? At the moment it frequently happens that they knock down bridges which are put up in these small villages for pedestrians.

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I have no particular information on this subject. But I have noticed that bridges normally have a height sign on them, and I should have thought it was up to the driver to take good care.

LORD ROYLE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he is impressed by the opinion of this House on this matter?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

Yes, my Lords. Transport and traffic are one of the greatest problems which, for obvious reasons, we all have to endure these days.

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, will the noble Lord agree that almost all of these questions would be wiped out if, instead of meeting to consider how much larger the lorries should be, the Government considered cutting them down in size?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I do not think we have had any proposals to cut down their size. But, as I have said, the Government have not pledged themselves to increase it, and we are still looking at the matter. If noble Lords will have a little patience, I think they will have an answer fairly soon.

LORD HANKEY

My Lords, will the Government consider whether, in the age of containerisation, it is not more important to make the sort of roads which are needed, rather than to put on numerous additional restrictions?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I think that is a different question from the original one which dealt with fumes in small villages.