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Archway Road

Volume 19: debated on Monday 1 March 1982

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asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received against the opening of a new Archway Road inquiry; and what consideration he gave to the objection that it will severely increase traffic congestion in Holloway Road and at the Archway roundabout, will increase the amounts of through traffic using residential roads in Islington and will cause further environmental problems.

Representations against the decision to hold a further inquiry have been received from seven local associations. The inquiry will enable my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and Transport to obtain, through an independent inspector, the opinions of the interested parties on all the effects of various courses of action. Careful consideration will be given to all matters discussed in the inspector's report, including traffic conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the cost to public funds of inquiries relating to Archway Road to date.

The total cost of the three Archway Road inquiries was £135,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of his new proposals, if he will seek to reimburse objectors to the modified version of the Archway Road scheme before the previous inquiries for their costs in preparing and presenting evidence.

The normal provisions for reimbursement of costs to successful objectors as set out in Ministry of Housing and Local Government circular No. 73/65 will apply.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will abandon proposals for a further Archway Road inquiry.

No. A wide area of north London has suffered a great deal of damage as a result of years of indecision and fruitless public debate.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport why, in view of its significant future impact upon Islington, he did not formally consult Islington borough council on the proposal to open a new Archway traffic scheme.

My proposal is to hold a public inquiry on alternative orders for Archway before any decision is made and is not, as the question has it, to open a new traffic scheme. All the customary procedures will be followed which will give Islington borough council, among others, ample opportunity to contribute its views.