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Congestion chokes 'efficient' buses

4th July 1981, Page 14
4th July 1981
Page 14
Page 14, 4th July 1981 — Congestion chokes 'efficient' buses
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

THE BIGGEST single problem facing operators in London is that of congestion the Confederation of British Road Passenger Transport has told the House of Commons transport committee, MIKE RUTHERFORD reports.

CPT Executive Committee member and managing director of London Transport buses Dr David Quarmby told MPs that there is simply "an excess of demand for road space in London."

CPT told the committee, which is investigating transport in London, that buses are efficient users of road space compared with other vehicles. It claims that buses carry 36 per cent of London's road travellers in only 0.2 per cent of vehicles on the road.

"There is every justification therefore for giving public transport special treatment," said the CPT in a written statement.

"Urban road developments and road management designed to benefit bus services are likely to be more cost-effective than measures to ease the flow and access of car traffic and car users."

CPT believes that private and public parking in city centres should be subject to effective controls. "The main review, however, should be the effect of residential car parking on the secondary road system which discourages the diversion of traffic from overloaded bus routes. In any event public service vehicles should have priority, as is the case in many Continental countries."

CPT external affairs committee chairman David Glassborow told the committee that the real problem was at certain junctions where capacity is inadequate.

CPT chairman Ron Whittle told the ail-party committee that coach operators are prepared to pay "reasonable" fees for parking in London, but the facilities did not exist.

"There is a need for more terminals to be provided, said Mr Whittle. "There is also a good case for purpose built bus/coach stations at or near main line or underground rail stations."

On finance CPT said that if the maximum advantage from public transport systems is to be obtained in the years ahead they must be given adequate and properly monitored financial support. Another positive step would be to make travel to and from work by public transport an expense to be claimed against income.

"If the various public transport

operators in the South-east region (who provide services in and into London) are given adequate and comparable financial support many of the problems which currently appear baffling or insolubable might well diminish," CPT claims.

But the emphasis of the whole cl4acument submitted to the select committee is "help us to do our job before we even think about money," according to the CPT director general Denis Quin.

That comment should make Labour MP Harry Cowans a little happier. He accused CPT of "talking about increased resources" but of "not mentioning where the money would come from."

Also giving evidence to the committee last week, the British Road Federation dismissed as a myth the suggestion that peakhour car commuting causes London's transport problems.


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