§ Mr. Evennettasked the Secretary of State for Transport what comments he has received on the draft terms of reference for stage two of the London assessment studies; what changes he proposes to make as a result; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe have received comments from the local authorities concerned and from a wide range of other organisations. A number suggested that the studies should be expanded on a Londonwide basis, with a joint steering group with the London boroughs and transport operators, which would evaluate alternative strategies for London as a whole. Others asked that the studies should
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Persons accepted 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 Aberconwy 151 203 159 130 99 167 74 153 Alyn and Deeside 301 250 205 237 251 239 427 366 Arfon 80 59 50 55 61 38 62 51 Blaenau Gwent 333 361 388 464 459 453 444 493 Brecknock 69 114 86 157 152 134 217 162 Cardiff 690 1,410 973 1,053 730 862 1,646 1,751 Carmarthen 187 160 152 127 192 136 218 165 Ceredigion 94 102 92 103 149 203 149 140 Colwyn 55 40 42 72 55 60 71 102 Cynon Valley 898 1,018 965 985 1,207 959 840 942 Delyn 175 151 264 240 197 255 297 391 Dinefwr 49 34 35 108 31 67 104 93 Dwyfor 138 60 106 74 69 124 126 142 Glyndwr 56 54 63 39 37 52 64 55 Islwyn 189 175 159 68 118 143 139 136 Llanelli 133 100 140 179 219 213 227 371 Lliw Valley 113 129 134 140 119 204 158 205 Meirionnydd 369 489 235 145 159 106 106 147 Merthyr Tydfil 454 392 272 238 253 232 225 179 Monmouth 515 380 532 434 475 447 717 664 Montgomeryshire 124 110 125 89 83 58 52 97 Neath 481 483 624 NA 1,016 963 806 793 Newport 864 1,110 1,358 1,300 1,218 1,199 1,513 1,254 Ogwr 338 343 517 736 599 448 826 1,667 Port Talbot (Afan) 170 133 94 112 160 226 164 304 Preseli 135 164 130 97 96 78 148 108 address the need for additional road capacity. There was widespread concern that the studies should consider options for both road and public transport improvements assessed on a comparable basis. There were also a number of detailed comments.
The assessment studies cover four areas which suffer from particularly severe transport problems. The studies are intended to identify practical options for tackling them within a reasonable time scale. They are only one of the measures we are pursuing to improve transport in London, including the existing programmes of trunk and local road improvements and support for more attractive and efficient public transport services. They are not intended to be a vehicle for reviewing policies for London as a whole. I have, however, amended, the draft terms of reference to make it clearer that the studies are concerned with all modes of transport, not just roads.
We shall be inviting the authorities concerned to join a consultative group for each of the studies. While we do not see the need for a formal joint steering group, we shall be glad to discuss wider issues at any time with the local authority associations and other representative organisations. There will be consultation on the stage two reports when they are completed.