HC Deb 24 January 1949 vol 460 cc539-41
2. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the confusion in the minds of the public as to their rights on pedestrian crossings where traffic lights are installed, he will consider abolishing these crossings at traffic lights and give the right of way to traffic.

3. Vice-Admiral Taylor

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the legal decision, that the red light, where traffic signal lights are in use, does not prohibit a pedestrian from crossing, and that pedestrians can thus hold up all traffic at the traffic lights crossing to the danger of the public; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this matter.

Mr. Barnes

I am aware of the decision to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. I am considering, in the light of a report which I have just received from the Committee on Road Safety, whether any amendment of the regulations relating to pedestrian crossing places is desirable and practicable, but in my view the abolition of pedestrian crossings at light-controlled junctions, as suggested by my hon. Friend, would not be in the interests of road safety.

Mr. Janner

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in reply to a Question put by myself some time ago he said the pedestrians had the right to cross and that a case which has now been decided gives quite a different point of view? Would it not be in the interests of pedestrians and others to know exactly what their rights are, and, by having the lights at a different place, protect pedestrians against them?

Mr. Barnes

This only emphasises the difficulty and the complexity of the whole problem. I must emphasise that it ought to be solved in the interests of the pedestrian.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Is the Minister aware that it was not the intention of Parliament that pedestrians should have the right of way against the light? Surely it would be better, where traffic lights are installed, to do away with the right of the pedestrian to cross irrespective of the light, which is a great source of danger both to the pedestrian and the other traffic on the road, and to confine the right of the pedestrian to cross only where there are special crossings provided for him?

Mr. Barnes

As I have indicated in my reply, it has been submitted by me to my Committee on this matter, and I have just received their Report. It emphasises the difficulty of this problem. I will consider how far I can give publicity to these matters to see whether, in the light of the widest public interest an effort can be made towards their solution.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Would there be any difficulty so far as the Minister is concerned in doing away with the right of pedestrians to cross against the traffic light where the crossing is in use?

Mr. Barnes

I am not disposed to deal with this problem now by separate decisions until I feel that we have a more satisfactory policy covering the whole matter of pedestrian rights at pedestrian crossings.

Mr. Janner

Would the Minister explain why pedestrians should not be protected by having the lights at places other than the crossings, owing to the confusion which exists at present as to their rights at those crosings? Is not that the important point?

Mr. Alpass

Would not the position be greatly simplified and much greater protection be given to the pedestrian if the sign, "Cross Now," which is now in use at Charing Cross Road and one or two other places, were made more general?

Mr. Barnes

I have already indicated that this has been a matter of special investigation. Hon. Members would, with myself, be wise to wait until the whole of the facts are published. Then we can discuss the matter as a whole.

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