To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has finalised proposals for the implementation of the red route pilot scheme in London; and if he will make a statement.
Following the announcement to the House on 27 March at columns 222–24 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State of the intention to conduct a pilot scheme for a priority route network in London we have conducted an extensive consultation exercise on it through publications, public meetings, and site visits and discussions. This culminated in exhibitions of our initial proposals from 14 August to 28 September. A brochure and a leaflet were widely circulated and copies are in the Library. As a result of comments received we have accepted certain changes to the proposals largely aimed at increasing provision for loading and unloading to satisfy essential business needs. Plans of the final proposals are being made available to the boroughs concerned and a leaflet will be published for general interest.We need now to make a start on the pilot scheme itself as soon as possible. We intend to bring the new signing and lining, including bus lanes, into force on the trunk road part of the route—the A1 from Highgate to the Angel—on 7 January. Preliminary works will take place during December. Further measures such as improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists will follow as soon as possible. Implementation of measures on local roads will depend on the boroughs concerned. I hope that they will be able to introduce them quickly. Enforcement will be the key to the success of the pilot scheme, and the Metropolitan police have agreed the timetable for this start on 7 January.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the projected date for the introduction of red routes into London.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I have given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Summerson) on the implementation of the pilot scheme. Full implementation of the network depends on legislation which will be introduced at the earliest opportunity.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce red routes in London; and if he will make a statement.
I refer the hon. Member to section 2 of the consultation document on the "Traffic in London" legislative proposals published on 23 July.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received concerning the proposed red route from Highgate to the City; if any of these have been in its favour; and what replies he has sent.
As a result of the public exhibitions of proposals 343 responses were received. Other comments were made, some in favour and some against, at public meetings and numerous on-site discussions. In response to these representations, some of the detailed proposals have been changed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made by his Department of the introduction of priority routes in Paris; and if he will make such information available to those currently involved in the consultation exercise about red routes.
Officials visited Paris earlier this month to obtain information. Axes rouges (red routes) were introduced last month on 27 km of roads in central Paris. Although it is too early to make a full assessment, a network of 100 km is planned. The initial effect has been to increase average speeds significantly with little increase in traffic.