Chapter 5: General conclusions

The scale of the primary roads

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A striking result of our studies is the demonstration of the great scale of the primary networks and interchanges that are required. We do not think we have been guilty of any exaggeration here. The scale reflects a desire to face up realistically to the future growth of traffic, but it is also the result of the principle we have suggested for the canalisation of longer flows in order to produce relatively undisturbed areas where environmental qualities can be developed. Even so it has to be admitted that the scale is somewhat frightening, and it may be thought that what we have illustrated is about as much as British cities could possibly stand in the way of being dissected by major roads.

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It would, of course, be a total disaster if roads were built on this scale without regard to the environment. But we think the approach to the problem which we have outlined in this Report provides a way of securing that the scale of the roadworks does not outstrip the needs of the environment. The general lesson is unavoidable—if the scale of road works and reconstruction seems frightening, then a lesser scale will suffice provided there is less traffic.