HC Deb 21 February 1949 vol 461 cc1586-7
68. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the recent decision in a Cardiff court that pedestrians had not the right of way on pedestrian crossings at traffic lights when they cross against the lights; and what steps he proposes to take to clarify the position in the light of the recent report made to him by the Committee on Road Safety.

66. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Minister of Transport the substance of the recommendations regarding the use of pedestrian crossing places contained in the report of the Road Safety Committee; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Barnes

The report of the Committee on Road Safety has now been published and copies are available to Members in the Vote Office.

I intend to lay before the House shortly certain amendments of the existing regulations based on the Committee's recommendations, which will have the effect of removing certain ambiguities. One of them will prescribe that drivers approaching controlled crossings will, when the signals are in their favour, normally have precedence over pedestrians. On uncontrolled crossings the pedestrian's right to free and uninterrupted passage will be maintained.

I have also, in accordance with a recommendation made by the Committee, asked the Road Research Laboratory to undertake experiments to determine whether a warning line on the carriageway on the approach side of an uncontrolled crossing is a useful practical measure to warn drivers to give way to pedestrians already on the crossing and to warn pedestrians that it may not be safe to cross if a vehicle has passed the line.

I am disposed to agree with most of the Committee's recommendations but I am not in favour of the suggestion endorsed by a majority of them that pedestrians should be encouraged to signal their intention to step on to a crossing.

Mr. Janner

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that very full reply, might I ask him whether he has had reports from Leicester and other cities where experiments have been taking place, and whether they confirm the point of view expressed, particularly with regard to the last matter?

Mr. Barnes

The experiments that are being conducted throughout the country are very carefully watched, but I should not like to discuss now the effect of any particular city's experiment.

Mr. Oliver Stanley

While appreciating that the Minister is only going to make this suggestion for a warning line, might I ask him to take into account the considerable danger of having a fixed danger line, in view of the different speeds at which vehicles might be travelling?

Mr. Barnes

Yes, I am very well aware of that. That is why I have asked for this to be examined.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

The Minister says that vehicles approaching a controlled crossing would, when the lights were in their favour, normally have precedence. Would he indicate what qualification he means by the word "normally"? Why should not they have absolute precedence?

Mr. Barnes

At this stage I would advise the hon. Member to study the report. There will be an opportunity of discussing it more fully and adequately when I lay the regulations before the House.