HC Deb 09 March 1925 vol 181 cc935-6
68. Colonel DAY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of street accidents that have occurred within the Metropolitan Borough of Southwark from 1918 to 1925; if he is aware of the increasing congestion of traffic at the Elephant and Castle corner, where Walworth Road, New Kent Road, Borough Road, Newington Butts, and London Road all converge; and if steps will be taken to effect better control of traffic there?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)

I have been asked to answer this question. The returns of street accidents compiled by the Metropolitan police show the number of accidents in each police division separately. To take out the figures for the Metropolitan Borough of Southwark, which forms a part of two separate police divisions, for the years 1918 to 1925 would, I am informed, involve considerable labour, which I am unwilling to ask the police authorities to undertake. I am aware of the increasing traffic congestion at the Elephant and Castle, and the question as to what steps may usefully be taken to relieve the congestion in this neighbourhood is at present under consideration by the London Traffic Advisory Committee, who have investigated the conditions on the spot.

85. Colonel DAY

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the continual congested state of the traffic at the Elephant corner of the Walworth Road, where six of the main roads in South London all meet, which is hazardous and the cause of many accidents, he is prepared to consider assisting the local authority in improving this dangerous corner?

Colonel ASHLEY

The question as to what steps may usefully be taken to relieve the traffic congestion at the Elephant and Castle and neighbourhood is at present under consideration by the London Traffic Advisory Committee, and I must await their report before considering what action can usefully be taken for the improvement of traffic conditions there.