HC Deb 24 February 1947 vol 433 cc1674-5
6. Sir John Mellor

asked the Minister of Transport what regulations are now in force concerning the arrangement, design, size and colour of studs, and distance between studs, on pedestrian crossings; and in what particulars do these regulations differ.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

As the answer contains a good deal of detail, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The regulations now in force are the Traffic Signs (Pedestrian Crossings) (No. 2) Provisional Regulations, 1934, dated 7th November, 1934, as amended by the Traffic Signs (Pedestrian Crossings) (Amendment) Provisional Regulations, 1935, dated 11th January, 1935, and the Traffic Signs (Pedestrian Crossings) (Amendment) Provisional Regulations. 1938, dated 16th June, 1938.

The Regulations of 1934 provided for two lines of white or yellow studs 8 feet apart, for the studs in so much of either line as is first reached by oncoming traffic to be spaced from 1 ft. 9 ins. to 2 ft. 3 ins. apart and for the other studs to be spaced from 3 ft. 9 ins. to 4 ft. 3 ins. apart, for the studs to be circular or square with the outer edges flush with the carriageway and with a surface area of not less than 12½square inches and for their projection above the carriageway to be not less than 5/16 of an inch nor more than 7/16 of an inch.

The Regulations of 1935 amended these requirements by prescribing a common spacing of from 10½ inches to 14 inches for all studs in both lines and by substituting 12 square inches for 12½ square inches as the minimum surface area of a stud and half an inch for 7/16 of an inch as the maximum projection of a stud above the carriageway. The Regulations of 1938 provided for the spacing of 8 feet between lines to be taken from the outside edges.

7. Sir J. Mellor

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that recent prosecutions under the Road Traffic Acts have failed because pedestrian crossings have not conformed with regulations; and what action he proposes to take to secure observance by highway authorities of these regulations.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has already asked highway authorities to reinstate pedestrian crossings to the prewar standard as soon as possible, but is aware that some delay is taking place due to shortage of materials.

Sir J. Mellor

Would not the highway authorities find it much easier to observe these regulations if they were less complex and confusing?