HC Deb 15 March 1984 vol 56 cc222-3W
Mr. Bottomley

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to use his reserve powers to ensure that the Greater London council does not introduce a lorry ban damaging to the economy of London.

Mr. Ridley

The GLC has not yet made out a proper case for introducing a London-wide night and weekend lorry ban. It still has a lot more work to do if it is to produce, as is its stated intention, proposals which will bring worthwhile benefits to Londoners without damaging London's businesses and putting jobs at risk.

It is right that there should be concern about the many people badly affected by lorry noise at night and in the early morning. That is a serious problem, not confined to London, which the Government are already tackling constructively. The M25 will provide a high quality route away from densely populated areas for lorry traffic which would otherwise pass through London. Over half of it is already open; we are pressing ahead to complete it in 1986. We cut the permitted noise level for new lorries last April and we will introduce stricter test procedures which will bring a further reduction next year. Our objective is to cut the perceived noise level from new lorries over this decade by nearly a half.

These measures will benefit not just Londoners, but people all over the country, without causing damage to firms and thus to jobs in the capital. By contrast, the GLC has produced no evidence to show that its lorry ban proposals will significantly reduce disturbance from lorry noise. But the risks are considerable. Any benefits could be seriously diminished by the exemptions for some routes and operators which the GLC have accepted will be needed. For some people living in areas on the outskirts of London and along exempted routes in London, the ban could actually make matters worse. Added to that, it will be both difficult and costly to enforce. And it could inflict serious damage on London's economy. That is something which neither I nor anyone with London's best interests at heart could allow to happen.

Lorry bans can be valuable in some situations, but they can create serious problems, and careful, sensitive planning is vital. So many interests are affected by the GLC's ideas, inside and outside London, that serious consultation to identify the effects of alternative measures must precede any firm proposals. Thereafter, if the GLC is still determined to come forward with a specific plan, a public inquiry should be held so that all the implications can be fully explored. I have asked the GLC whether it intends doing so.