§ Lord Stoddart of Swindon asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ When they expect to announce details of their proposal to widen the M.4 between junctions 5 and 12.
§ Viscount GoschenMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport hopes to start public consultation for the improvement of the motorway later this year.
§ Lord Stoddart of SwindonMy Lords, is the noble Viscount aware that many people whose homes are likely to be affected by road widening have been completely unsettled by the delay in consultation? Is he further aware that widening the M.4 to eight lanes and in part to 14 lanes will cause enormous traffic difficulties to an area which is already over-trafficked? By not widening the area the Government could save a great deal of the £25,000 million which is being spent on road improvements.
§ Viscount GoschenMy Lords, the Government are aware of the concerns of local people about the start of public consultation and are sympathetic to them. However, careful development takes time and the proposals are not quite ready for consultation. The need for relief of congestion is already urgent on some parts of the M.4.
§ Lord Carmichael of KelvingroveMy Lords, is the noble Viscount aware of what the Secretary of State for Transport said when he opened the beginning of the new Severn Bridge? He said that the M.4 would double its present capacity. The thought of that is quite terrifying and, as the Financial Times said, we are reaching the stage when the area around London will become a huge tarmacadam desert.
§ Viscount GoschenMy Lords, improving the M.4 will relieve the congestion and prevent traffic diverting onto unsuitable local roads, thus avoiding adverse environmental impact on communities.
§ Lord Stoddart of SwindonMy Lords, does not the noble Viscount agree that the widening of the M.4, to cater for what is only a limited number of hours per day, is a waste of money which could be spent on alternative forms of transport, particularly public transport? It will attract more traffic into an area which already has great difficulty in dealing with present traffic flows.
§ Viscount GoschenMy Lords, the proposals are based on existing need and traffic flow forecasts. To do 1560 nothing would lead to increased congestion which would be bad for the environment as well as the economy.
§ Lord TrefgarneMy Lords, will my noble friend give the House an assurance that, when and if the work begins, the disturbance to those of us who have to continue to use the motorway while the work takes place will be kept to the minimum?
§ Viscount GoschenMy Lords, we aim to find techniques that will limit disruption. It will also include, where appropriate, major maintenance within the widening to avoid two bites at the cherry.
§ Baroness Robson of KiddingtonMy Lords, in his statement the Minister said that widening of the motorway will help to prevent congestion; but what is he going to do about the congestion that will arise from the traffic pouring from the motorway into central London?
§ Viscount GoschenMy Lords, the M.4 is a strategic trunk motorway connecting London with the West. The demand for it is shown by the levels of congestion. It is needed and the only appropriate course of action is to improve the route so as to improve the congestion on the motorway itself.
§ Baroness Robson of KiddingtonMy Lords, I asked the noble Viscount what he intended to do about the congestion arising from the traffic that pours off the motorway.
§ Viscount GoschenMy Lords, if people want to come into London there is not much that we can do to prevent them.
§ Lord TordoffMy Lords, but it is not always wise to assist them, is it?
§ Viscount GoschenMy Lords, existing congestion is extremely serious. It badly affects people's convenience, the economy and the environment. Something needs to be done to relieve it.