NO GARAGE—NO LICENCE

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30900, 5 November 1965, Page 17

NO GARAGE—NO LICENCE

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter —Copyright? LONDON, Nov. 4. A group of London experts wants to make it an offence for anyone without a garage or off-street parking space to hold a vehicle licence. The proposal is part of a new and sweeping plan to clear London's roads and has

been put forward by the Association of London Borough Engineers and Surveyors—technical experts from the 32 boroughs. They recommend that the London Boroughs Committee —the body representing London local councils and the City Corporation—seek the support of the Greater London Council in asking the i Transport Minister, Mr Tom ; Fraser, to introduce such a [law. The report warned that Lon-

don was facing “an imminent transport crisis.” Unless the free use of the roads for garaging was stopped the “disaster date of complete congestion” would approach more quickly, the association said.

It proposed that every applicant for a vehicle licence would have to make a statement that he had made suitable arrangements for garaging or parking off the highjway for the full period of his | licence.

A false statement might involve the confiscation of the vehicle, as well as a fine. A delay of at least five years was proposed between the law being made and its coming into force. This would give car-owners who were unwilling to provide off-street parking a reasonable period to use their present cars. It would also give public and private enterprise the opportunity to build multi-storey garages.