§ Sir Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to issue traffic management guidance to the London borough councils under schedule 5 to the Local Government Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyFollowing consultation with the London local authority associations and the police on the draft sent to them last November, and taking account of other comments we have received from some of the wide range of interested organisations who also received copies, we have today issued traffic management guidance to the London borough councils.
Copies of the circular to London boroughs to which it is annexed are available in the Libraries of both Houses.
Well-designed traffic management can contribute positively to economic, social and environmental conditions in London and play an important role in helping communities cope with traffic problems. In particular, we wish to encourage vehicles to make the fullest possible use of London's strategic network of roads in preference to seeking alternative routes through suitable streets and residential areas. Well-managed traffic benefits private and public transport users alike and also helps create better and safer conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.
The traffic guidance we have now issued will be particularly useful to the London borough councils.
- (a) as a context for preparing annual transport policies and programmes, and
- (b) in formulating proposals affecting the designated road network for which my consent is needed.
We look forward to continuing to develop with the borough councils new initiatives to tackle London's road and traffic problems.