The Report of the Select Committee on London Traffic was
issued on Thursday, and is of a most drastic character. The Committee recommend the formation of a Traffic Branch of the Board of Trade, to exercise the functions now divided amongst three Government departments. The duties of this branch would be chiefly those of a supervising authority and court of appeal. More important, however, is the application of the principle that "the control of the streets is essentially a municipal function," by transferring to the County Councils and County Boroughs the licensing of vehicles. It is also proposed to bestow on the County Councils full powers to make by-laws and regulate routes and time-tables ; to abolish the Borough Council veto on tramway schemes ; and to empower the London County Council to run motor-buses to feed its lines. Although all municipal action is subject to review by the new Traffic Branch, .these suggestions have naturally aroused strong protests from the motor-omnibus companies, on the ground that their business will be at the mercy of the licensing authority, which is also a trade rival. We shall return to the subject in our next issue.
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