§ Lord Lloyd of Kilgerranasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps are being taken to keep Mansion House Underground Station open to passenger traffic during its proposed redevelopment; and whether closure of the station would cause hardship to Bow Lane traders whose main business and source of income are derived from passengers from this station walking along Bow Lane to Cheapside;
What directions will be given under the London Regional Transport Act or otherwise to prevent the closure by property developers and the London Underground authority of Mansion House Underground Station, as the planning permission for this development did not include authority for such closure; and
Why neither Bow Lane traders whose livelihood may be threatened, nor locally elected representatives of the City Corporation were consulted by the London Underground authorities or their agents prior to a decision to close Mansion House Underground Station in the near future.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)I regret that some local businesses may be affected by the temporary closure of Mansion House Station, but I am satisfied that London Underground has already taken all reasonable steps to investigate the options for keeping the station open. I also understand that before the decision to close the station was taken a consultation took place which included two public meetings at which local traders and councillors and officials of the City of London were represented. I can therefore see no case for any action to prevent the temporary closure.