Motor Traffic (Hyde Park Corner). (Hansard, 21 July 1913)

§ 50 and 51. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) whether the Board has decided to comply with the application of the London County Council for the imposition of a speed limit of 10 miles an hour at Hyde Park Corner, notwithstanding the fact that a Select Committee of this House is still inquiring into the whole question of street accidents in London caused by motor traffic; and whether, in view of the opinion expressed by the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis that reduced speed limits would lead to serious traffic congestion and consequent danger to the public, and that no reduced speed limits have yet been imposed on the arterial thoroughfares of London, he will defer the definite decision of the Board until the Report of the Select Committee on motor traffic is presented to the House; arid (2) whether the Local Government Board propose to impose a 10-mile speed limit at Hyde Park Corner; whether his attention has been drawn to the evidence 1702 given at the local inquiry, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, to the effect that Hyde Park Corner is the busiest traffic point in the world, that the imposition of a 10-mile speed limit would result in serious congestion of traffic, and that congestion is the most prolific cause of accident; whether the Board have taken into consideration the accident figure put in evidence by the police showing that 88 per cent. of the accidents at Hyde Park Corner during the past three years had occurred at speeds less than 10 miles an hour; and whether he will state the grounds upon which the Board has decided to comply with the application?