Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy 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 to state how much money has already been spent on three abortive schemes to by-pass Gosforth, Northumberland; and, in view of the recent heavy increase in traffic and the ever-increasing length of vehicles, what action will be taken to protect the houses, shops, and the public in that area.
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, the expenditure so far incurred by the Department and its agent authorities on this scheme has been that incurred in the preparation of any schemes of this nature and cannot reasonably be labelled "abortive". Any attempt to estimate the cost of such preparatory work would make disproportionate demands on staff resources. It is hoped to reduce the amount of through traffic by suitable signposting of the Tyne Tunnel, and to safeguard pedestrians by traffic management measures.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that slightly unsatisfactory Answer, may I ask whether he will be kind enough to ensure that officials do not say that the traffic going through Gosforth is no longer than was the case in the past?—because that is completely untrue. Further, would he agree that it is important in these matters that the truth should be told and that fictitious answers should not be given?
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, I am happy to assure the noble Baroness that the members of this Government will continue to tell the truth about Gosforth by-pass as they have done in the past.
§ Lord POPPLEWELLMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that the difficulties arising at Gosforth which have been outlined by the noble Baroness are similar to those arising in many other parts of the country? Can he indicate what steps are being taken to deal with these problems which are becoming so acute and dangerous and so greatly impede pedestrians and the ordinary life of our towns and cities?
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, I believe that it would not be entirely true to say that the problems of Gosforth are the same as those of other parts of the country. There have been special problems about finding an alternative route through this area because it is particularly built-up and because of the problems which arose when a by-pass was originally proposed. However, steps are being taken to safeguard pedestrians in Gosforth High Street: in particular, two pelican crossings have been introduced and no-waiting restrictions have been instituted in order to try to reduce the number of vehicles parked in the High Street.