HC Deb 30 November 1987 vol 123 c434W
Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if, as an experiment during the Christmas shopping period, he will take action to keep commercial vehicles out of roads in central London for which he has responsibility between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm; and if he will make a statement;

(2)if he will take action to keep commerical vehicles out of roads in central London for which he has responsibility between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

There are no trunk roads, for which my right hon. Friend is responsible in the central London area.

Responsibility for traffic management initiatives on local roads in the central London area rests with the London boroughs as the relevant highway authorities. The time required for statutory processes associated with the powers available for highway authorities to restrict the classes of traffic using roads, rules out local highway authorities introducing any new lorry bans on their roads before Christmas.

Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce a red line system to supplement the yellow line system of parking restrictions, the former to apply to key routes through central London for which he is responsible with a heavy fine payable by drivers who fail to observe these restrictions; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Good compliance with parking regulation depends on a proper understanding of the system and on effective enforcement. The present system of road signs and yellow lines on roads and kerbs already applies to all routes through Central London.

I do not consider that a further system of road signs and markings would of itself lead to better understanding or enforcement.

Enforcement is becoming more effective.