Politicians against transport politics
Page 18
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IT IS comforting to know that at least 11 politicians favour the removal of passenger transport in London from the arena of party politics. They formed a Select Committee of MPs representing the Labour, Conservative and Social Democratic parties, with Thomas Bradley (SDP) as chairman.
Their recommendation for the establishment of a new metropolitan transport authority has, however, united Ken Livingstone, Labour leader of the Greater London Council, and Richard Brew, the Conservative leader, in condemnation as little else could have done.
As the GLC has shown itself to be singularly inept at directing London Transport, any change must surely be for the better. The proposed authority would also be concerned with the National Bus Co and British Rail, as well as with traffic management throughout the capital and with the whole of London's principal roads.
On paper at least, the idea is sensible. Performance would, of course, depend on the quality of the members of the board.
As a road authority it would have to reconcile the interests of goods and passenger vehicle operators and would require farsighted, impartial judgment. I would expect it to reject any Livingstonian scheme to tranship goods from lorries to handcarts in the outer suburbs.