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M25 will only give 'minimal' benefits

8th November 1980
Page 20
Page 20, 8th November 1980 — M25 will only give 'minimal' benefits
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

AIDUSTRY welcomes the London M25 but sees it only as a first step towards solving the country's biggest traffic problem — and a second phase is needed quickly, according to Alan West, commer:lel director of UB Distribution Services Ltd, MIKE RUTHERFORD ^eports.

Speaking at a British Road ederation conference in LonJon last week, Mr West said: 'There can be little doubt that nany of the problems London 'aces are a direct result of an nadequate road network and Jntil significant improvements 3 re made the capital's decline Nill surely continue."

The benefit of the M25 to a ornpany like UBDS (the trans)ort and distribution company within United Biscuits Group) is ninimal and it is likely that less han five per cent of all journeys will involve travelling on the lew route.

UBDS has depots at CamPerley, Colchester, Park Royal ind Swanley, and Colchester ind Park Royal will be unable to nake any use of the M25. From ;amberley the benefit will be light, while Swanley will reap ome advantages, but only on oads from the Reigate, Redhill Ind Gatwick areas.

Bulk movements from facones to depots will often be within the M25 area, or will cross t at 90° and again will not boneit at all. Most of the products will be moving from factories in he North and the principal route s the Ml. Movements to Park Royal will again be unaffected, put journeys to Camberley and 3wanley will be improved.

However, the fact that minutes .ather than hours can be saved )n these journeys means that productivity cannot be increased )nd that there is no advantage to 3nyone other than the driver.

"Businesses based on the Periphery, and traffic wishing to Dye-pass London will gain the -nost," said Mr West.

For every commercial vehicle UBDS has on the road it has two cars. The M25 will at least give the company's salesmen, engineers, distribution managers and auditors — many of whom live in the outer London areas — considerable advantages.

If London is to prosper and is again to become an attractive place to live and work, something drastic must be done to improve road communications, according to Mr West.

"As far as we can see, there is no practical or acceptable alternative to the road-based vehicle for most of our freight movements."

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Locations: London

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