Drastic Traffic Measures Expected In U.K.

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30288, 14 November 1963, Page 12

Drastic Traffic Measures Expected In U.K.

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, Nov. 11. Britain is waiting for the Buchanan Report—“a real shocker” that is expected to be the most controversial Government publication since the Denning best-seller on traffic in overcrowded Britain. Professor Colin Buchanan, aged 56. architect, townplanner, engineer and holder of the chair of transport at Imperial College, London University, will see his report on how to deal with one of the most pressing problems facing Britain today—

the great traffic jam—published on November 27. This book-sized publication, which, has taken Professor Buchanan and six assistants three years to compile, is showing signs of becoming the likely argument point wherever motorists gather in Britain. ' Rings Round Cities? There is conjecture that the report suggests a ring round central London from which private cars would be banned. Other large cities such as Glasgow, Birmingham. Manchester and Liverpool' may come in for the same treatment. The already harrassed motorist, beset by parking meters, paying £BOO million a year in taxes and other charges, and crawling on

choked roads, may also find himself having to pay tolls to enter busy towns. There seems little doubt that Professor Buchanan, who drove up from the country into congested London every day for a month rather than commute by train—his usual means of transport—has something drastic to suggest. His 100,000-word document is now in the hands of the Minister of Transport (Mr Marples). Car Production British factories now turn out an annual average of 750,000 cars which are driven on to roads already creaking painfully under the tremendous load. There are nearly 11 million vehicles on the roads now. Experts say that by 1980, it will be round 18 million—a car to every family. The highways are already getting choked and there

must be more roads. Outside the cities that is possible, but inside the cities there is not the space any more. To limit the cars going into the cities is therefore seen as the only logical solution. And that is what most motorists expect to be the main recommendation of Professor Buchanan—a drastic remedy to clear the arterio-sclerosis of London, Liverpool, Manchester and the other major cities. Once the ring is reached, the motorists would go by public transport into the city. His bus. carrying 57 people, would take only the road space of two private cars, which probably only carry one person each. Trucks and vans would no doubt, also be restricted.