HC Deb 03 December 1958 vol 596 cc154-5W
128. Mr. M. Lindsay

asked the Minister of Supply why two heavy tanks on transporters were moved along the A5, through St. Albans, at about 2 p.m. on 28th November, thereby causing considerable delay to traffic, instead of being moved at night.

Mr. W. J. Taylor

The two transporters passed through St. Albans at about 2.30 p.m. on 28th November. As is usual in movements of this kind, the local authorities and police in the areas through which the route passed and also the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation were consulted before the movement took place. Whenever large vehicles are moved some delays are inevitable at difficult crossings, and in this case the A5/A6 crossing at St. Albans was, by prior arrangement, under police control whilst the two transporters made the crossing.

Every effort is made to ensure that the movement of large vehicles interferes as little as possible with the normal flow of traffic. On this occasion it would seem that some inconvenience must have been caused at St. Albans, which I regret. My right hon. Friend is looking into the possibility of moving more of this cumbersome traffic by night, but this is not without its difficulties.

Forward to