HL Deb 23 March 1971 vol 316 cc764-6

2.37 p.m.

THE EARL OF ALBEMARLE

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 accelerating success of our container-trade via South-East coast ports, but also of the implications of that success, accompanied as it is by discomfort and building damage to residents in ancient towns and market villages; and whether the environment group can begin to collaborate with local governments by authorising "Stop" notices being set up at exits off classified roads and to prevent outsize lorries from taking short cuts along un-haunched country roads.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)

Yes, my Lords. The route of heavy and bulky freight vehicles is a complex problem. Local authorities already have ample powers to control traffic under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967. But legitimate access must be maintained, for example to farm premises. To distinguish between through-traffic and traffic requiring access entails severe difficulties of enforcement. The Government are therefore embarking on consultation with freight operators to explore the possibilities of voluntary action in conjunction with local authorities.

THE EARL OF ALBEMARLE

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer, and I appreciate the difficulties. Would he not agree that "environment" envisages collaboration between Government and boroughs and villages in the countryside, for the betterment of conditions of life of our people? Would he not further agree that Government assistance in planning access routes to coastal ports by authorising signs would remedy discomfort and damage?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, to deal with the last point first, the question of designated routes for ports traffic is a particular aspect of the general problem which I indicated was being studied by the Department, by the freight operators and by local authorities together. As to the first and more general question, it was for this reason, among others, that the Government decided to set up a Department of the Environment, so that these complex interrelated problems could be studied comprehensively.

BARONESS STOCKS

My Lords, will Her Majesty's Government, in dealing with the question of these heavy container freights on lorries, take steps to see that the containers are sufficiently securely anchored to the lorries? I understand that in the case of British Railways they are, but in the case of many foreign operators they are not. Her Majesty's Government may have noticed that not long ago an insufficiently securely anchored container fell sideways on to a car which was passing in the right way on the correct side.

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, I think that is a rather different matter from the one to which the original Question was addressed. I will look into it, and if there is anything which I think of value that I can convey to the noble Baroness, I will certainly do so.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, may I congratulate the noble Lord on the colour of his tie, and hope that he wears it on May 1? Would the noble Lord consider a new sign to be put at the entrance to this type of road, to indicate to the drivers of heavy vehicles that these roads are not suitable for heavy vehicles?

LORD SANDFORD

Yes, my Lords we will consider that.

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 consider adopting the successful Dutch practice of requiring distributing parking fields adjacent to factory districts where loads of excessive size and weight can be redirected on to suitable second-class roads.]

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government share the general concern about the impact of heavy goods vehicles on our roads. A Working Party is currently studying the problems caused by the lack of secure lorry parks, and their report is expected in the very near future. My right honourable friend is now arranging, in conjunction with the road transport industry, a research study into the distribution of goods in towns by vehicles of a size more suited to the conditions. These investigations will take into account the experience gained in other countries, including Holland.

THE EARL OF ALBEMARLE

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. Would he not agree that many of our road schemes are so much in arrears that the Channel container trade has come upon us as an interloping situation and should now receive some preference?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, it so happens that I am moving the Second Reading of the Highways Bill to-morrow. This will afford a good opportunity to go into these matters more fully.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, is the noble Lord correct? Is it to-morrow, or is it on Thursday that the noble Lord will move that Second Reading?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, I stand corrected.