Main International Traffic Artery (London-Palermo)

HC Deb 16 March 1967 vol 743 cc156-7W

Sir R. Russell

asked the Minister of Transport why Main International Traffic Artery E1 from London to Palermo is shown in Command Paper No. 3206 as being routed to Paris via Southampton and Le Havre instead of by the shortest sea route; and what proportion of motorists or drivers of goods vehicles use that route.

Mr. Swingler

The Main International Traffic Arteries (E-routes) listed in Command Paper No. 3206 make up an internationally agreed network covering the whole of Europe. Since these routes continue across frontiers, those in the U.K. must connect by ferry with the E-routes on the Continent, where the E1 runs from Paris to Le Havre. There is no direct E-route between Calais and Paris. But the numbering of the E-route system does not of course inhibit choice of route. Statistics of vehicle traffic between London and Paris using particular sea routes are not available.