HC Deb 26 April 1989 vol 151 cc569-70W
Ms. Gordon

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria have been adopted by the unit of his Department concerned with traffic management in Greater London for substitution of automatic, or semi-automatic, traffic signals by police on the occasion of routine maintenance works at critical locations.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

During the routine maintenance works at critical locations, permanent traffic signals are maintained wherever possible. Manual traffic control is provided by police officers or traffic wardens when signals are disconnected for short periods. Where a safe electricity supply exists, temporary signals can be provided if work is likely to take longer than one week.

Ms. Gordon

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement concerning the arrangements made for traffic control in East India Dock road adjacent to the northern entrance of the Blackwall tunnel over the weekend of 15 and 16 April.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

There were some delays on the A13 and for traffic leaving the Blackwall tunnel on 15 and 16 April. The immediate cause was work on East India Dock road to construct an additional lane to improve access from the A 13 to the Isle of Dogs.

Advance notice of the roadworks was given to motoring information services. The police were fully involved. We are satisfied that traffic management at this difficult site has been organised as well as the limitations allow.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what study has been made by his Department, or what conclusions he has reached, concerning the effect on traffic flows of one-person operated buses in Greater London; what effects he expects on traffic flow from the extension of one-person operations to bus routes presently using a crew of two; what advice or instructions he has given to London Regional Transport or London Buses Limited in respect of this policy; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

The statutory duty to provide bus services in London lies with London Regional Transport and it is for it and its subsidiary, London Buses Ltd., to determine the method of operation, having due regard to efficiency, economy and safety. They take into account boarding times and congestion effects in their appraisal of conversions to one-person-operation. I understand they have no plans for any significant increase in the proportion of routes served by one-person-operated buses.