65. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the sudden increase in London traffic congestion during the past few days, one of the main causes of which is a burst water main in High Holborn; whether he is aware that under present arrangements being made to repair this burst it may take three weeks before the road is reopened to traffic; how many men are engaged on carrying out repairs; and whether he will arrange for the matter to be treated with urgency and all possible assistance given in order to ease the present congested state of the traffic.
§ Mr. MarplesI am aware of the congestion caused by the water main which burst in High Holborn on 18th November, and I am happy to tell my hon. Friend that repairs were completed and the full width of the road restored to traffic at 6 a.m. on Monday, 23rd November. The work of repair continued night and day with between 9 and 15 men, the highest number which could usefully be employed.