§ 2.54 p.m.
§ Lord DERWENTMy 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 whether they intend to allow cyclists to use the footpaths in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, as reported in the Press.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Baroness Birk)My Lords, at my request the Department of the Environment are considering an experiment using certain paths around the periphery of Hyde Park only, provided this can be done without endangering other users of the Park.
§ Lord DERWENTMy Lords, does the noble Baroness mean the roads or the footpaths, because this is a rather important difference?
§ Baroness BIRKMy Lords, the suggested route runs roughly parallel to four short stretches along the carriage drive, with a further section parallel to Park Lane. I think I ought to point out that already the Serpentine road, which runs along the North side of the Serpentine, is closed to normal traffic but is open for cyclists; the path connecting the police station to the West carriage drive and the Serpentine road is also closed to normal traffic but open for cycling. If we decide to embark on the experiment there will be safety signs and guidelines, and it will be done in co-operation with the police.
§ Lord DERWENTMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that reply, which is more or less satisfactory. But are Her Majesty's Government fully aware that for bicycles to be admitted to any of the narrower paths would present a very great danger to elderly people, such as myself, and particularly to the very young?
§ Baroness BIRKMy Lords, we are very much aware of this. That is why, if we embark on this, it will be first in the nature of an experiment and will be carefully monitored. If there are any tear-away people cycling around we will have it stopped immediately. Secondly, it will 7 be carefully marked out and signposted, as the other paths are.
§ Lord DERWENTMy Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Baroness. That is very satisfactory.
§ Lord AMULREEMy Lords, is it Her Majesty's Government's intention that the number of guardians (or whatever they are called) in the Park shall be increased so that they can keep a watchful eye on what bicyclists are doing?
§ Baroness BIRKNo, my Lords, that is not the intention at the moment. This task will be undertaken by the police and also the people who are working there at the moment. It is not intended to increase the manpower. We believe the experiment can be monitored and watched quite clearly, and if there are any complaints from members of the public we will have the matter looked into immediately. I repeat that this will be an experiment.