BRF plan for roads
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AN EXTENSIVE road network costing an estimated £3,300m and allowing traffic to move at a faster rate would be a major step in solving London's congestion problems, said Kenneth Cannel!, director of the British Road Federation.
Also at the inquiry was Ralph Cropper, chairman of Movement for London and a member of the BRF council.
The network would consist of radial routes from the M25 into the centre of London. These routes would not necessarily be new constructions, but could be widened existing trunk roads, such as in the controversial Archway area, Mr Cannel! explained.
This would not increase the problems to the local residents, Mr Cropper pointed out, as "landscaping" could be erected to try and camouflage the road. "Although 80 houses would have to be demolished along this road," he continued, "they could be re-housed in a better part of London. This is the price of improvement."
The South Circular, although not provided for in the proposed network, should be improved as and when money permits, Mr Cannel! suggested.
"When the M25 is built," Mr Cropper said, "there should be no area bans or weight restrictions." It would be common sense to use the least congested route around London, and the motorway would be that route, he felt.
"And if a ban were introduced, there would be so many exemptions called for that it would nullify the overall effect," Mr Cropper added.
If the scheme is as good as suggested, panel member Stephen Plowden wondered, would it not encourage businesses to move to the outskirts of London, so that they could travel to locations both in and out of Greater London with relative ease? "No," said Mr Cannel!. "Industry would be encouraged to come back to the centre for the same reason that travel would be that much easier."