HC Deb 04 April 1949 vol 463 cc1670-1
7. Mr. John E. Haire

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a regulation to prohibit vehicles other than buses from drawing up or parking within ten yards of an authorised bus stop and thus prevent the dislocation of bus queues.

Mr. Barnes

Bus stop markings on the carriageway are being laid at a number of busy bus stops and experience shows that these are sufficient to discourage parking at such places. I do not propose to make a regulation at present.

Mr. Haire

Will my right hon. Friend expedite the marking of these bus stops in the way he suggests because a great deal of distress is being caused, particularly to women, children and old persons, as a result of the dislocation caused by unnecessary parking?

Mr. Barnes

This is largely a matter for the initiative of local authorities, They know my general views on the subject.

Colonel Dower

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of bus drivers are very careless in pulling up at the stops themselves, and in the interests of the passengers, as well as of any regulation he makes, will he draw the attention of the Board to this, as the regulation would otherwise be useless?

Mr. Barnes

Yes, although that is rather a different question.

Mr. J. Lewis

When he is considering this matter, will the Minister bear in mind that very often vehicles loading and unloading goods have to pull up adjacent to a bus stop and that due consideration should be given to the drivers of those vehicles?

Mr. Barnes

Yes. As a matter of fact, general experience is that drivers are fairly careful to avoid such places as far as possible.