HC Deb 09 June 1989 vol 154 cc235-6W
Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the purpose of his Department's coach trip in London for journalists on 2 June; how many journalists accepted the Department's invitation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The purpose of the visit was twofold; to show at first hand the environmental benefits to residents along and around Rochester way from the new relief road, which has reduced accidents by 30 per cent. in six months and to contrast this with the road congestion problems currently afflicting the Archway area. The Department's proposals for a new western environmental improvement route (the only major road proposal in inner London made by the Department in the past three years) would relieve the many transport problems in the area around the Earl's Court one-way system and improve conditions for residents and shoppers.

The visit was organised following a series of press reports in publications as diverse as The Observer (Section 5, 28 May) and City Limits magazine (11–18 May) criticising the four London assessment studies com-missioned by the Department. These unbalanced reports seemed to indicate that the Department's explanations of the aims and objectives of the studies were not being understood or published.

The objectives of the studies are:

  • To promote accessiblity
  • To support employment, economic growth and regeneration
  • To develop an efficient transport system
  • To improve the environment
  • To enhance safety for travellers, including pedestrians

The following was the media's response to the coach trip invitation:

  • No radio journalists attended
  • No television journalists attended
  • No national newspaper journalists attended
  • Only one journalist attended, from a transport newsletter

We shall offer the coach trip again. It is most important for the media and those who rely on it for their information to understand that the assessment studies are about improving conditions for Londoners, and to appreciate that the Department will put forward only solutions which offer net benefits.