HC Deb 11 November 1985 vol 86 cc74-5W
40. Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what further steps he proposes to take in relation to the GLC ban on lorries in the City of London during certain hours.

Mr. Ridley

In its judgment given on 29 October, the Court of Appeal ruled that the construction to be put on the reserve powers in schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 was such that I did not have power to prohibit the GLC from proceeding with its night-time and weekend lorry ban without first holding a public inquiry. Its interpretation showed the extent of my powers to be narrower than I had believed them to be.

After careful consideration, I have decided not to seek leave to appeal to the House of Lords.

I understand that the GLC is pressing ahead with its arrangements to introduce and administer the ban from 16 December.

From 1 April 1986, the Common Council and other London borough councils will each become responsible for the ban in respect of its own areas, and for deciding what arrangements to make for its administration in its area.