Further Road Le gislation Coming
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/TORE traffic legislation in future sessions of Parliament was likely, Lord Chesham, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, told the House of Lords on Tuesday. He was introducing the Road Traffic and Roads Improvement Bill.
The Bill did not aim to deal with all traffic matters, he said. Many other problems awaited the attention of the Minister of Transport, and he would seek further powers to. deal with them.
Lord Chesham discounted "loose talk" about spot fines, as may be imposed under the Bill. No money would pass to a constable or warden who issued a ticket, and in most cases a ticket would he placed on a vehicle in the absence of the driver. The procedure could not be called "fining on the spot," he declared.
Lord Lucas of Chilworth did not think that the Bill would make much contribution to the traffic problem. Congestion was not going to be cured by gimmicks, slogans and further legislation. He considered that there was a danger that the system of ticket fines would be extended for other breaches of the traffic laws.
Lord Silkin said that the Bill was "puffing." Until provision was made for every vehicle that wanted to be on the road within reasonable distance of where it had to go, it could not be pretended that serious steps were being taken to deal with the traffic problem.
The Bill was read a second time. The Opposition have tabled a number of amendments to be considered during the Lords Committee stage.
BIRMINGHAM CHAOS FORECAST
CHA OS would result within three months of the start of the proposed new traffic schemes in Birmingham, (The Commercial Motor, June 10), said Mr. G. Morgan, vice-chairman of the Birmingham area of the Traders' Road Transport Association, last week. The Association would pursue its objections to the scheme. and take the matter to the City Council, the Minister of Transport and the Chief Constable, he stated.