§ 36. Captain DOWERasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on Wednesday evening, 4th December, traffic endeavouring to cross Grosvenor Place at Lower Grosvenor Place was unable to do so for a considerable time, even though the automatic traffic lights signalled from time to time they should do so; and what special steps, if any, are taken to provide police officers to take over control of traffic when automatic light signals cause a blockage of traffic?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am informed by the Commissioner of Police that traffic was very congested in the vicinity of Victoria Station on the occasion mentioned. The possibility of congestion had been foreseen and a police officer was specially posted to this junction; despite these efforts, however, a certain amount of delay was unfortunately unavoidable. The police have standing instructions, in the event of emergency or in exceptional 1093 traffic conditions, to assume control at points normally controlled by automatic signals.
§ Captain DOWERDoes the right hon. Gentleman recognise that it is dangerous for light signalling to go on when there is traffic immediately in front?
§ Sir J. SIMONYes. That is the reason why we have police stationed there.