Member

I have thought further about the issue of the key route networks. I think there could be a problem in the way the Government have phrased the Bill. I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Hendy, for a conversation that we have had about this matter. It is important to speed up bus journeys. I totally accept that, quite often, bus routes will serve centres of population and centres of business, and classified numbered roads may not. Therefore, to omit the possibility of using key route networks to improve the attractiveness of bus services is potentially a missed opportunity. The noble Lord, Lord Hendy, will not mind that I have used some of the words that he used in an email message to me yesterday. I can see the point that he is making.