HC Deb 12 April 2000 vol 348 cc178-9W
Mr. Gareth R. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which roads are to become the first Greater London Authority roads and Greater London Authority side roads; and if he will make a statement. [119094]

Mr. Hill

We consulted extensively in 1998 on which roads should be the responsibility of the Mayor and we announced the Government's intentions for the GLA road network in February 1999. The GLA road network is based on the current red and primary route networks with some adjustments in central London and docklands. Earlier this year, we consulted further on the detail of the orders needed to create the network we had announced. We received 53 responses. Many of these were technical drafting suggestions, but there were 26 which either supported or opposed the inclusion of Belgrave Road in Pimlico. I have placed a summary of all the representations in the Library of the House.

I have considered carefully all the representations received. In the case of Belgrave Road, the Traffic Director for London has confirmed he is content with Westminster City council's proposals for traffic management in the area and the council has given assurances that they will undertake the necessary works. In the light of this, I have concluded that Belgrave Road should not be designated as a GLA road now. From 8 May, it will be for the Mayor to keep the GLA road network under review. The Mayor may change the GLA road network with the agreement of the local borough, or in the absence of such agreement, with the confirmation of the Secretary of State.

I have placed maps of the first GLA road network in the Library and shall shortly lay orders to designate the first GLA roads for which Transport for London, the Mayor's new transport executive, will be the highway and traffic authority from 3 July. I shall also be laying 32 GLA Side Roads Orders, one for each borough in which there are GLA roads. These orders will give Transport for London traffic authority powers over small sections of side roads associated with the GLA roads which are currently subject to red route controls.