4. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennettasked the Minister of Transport whether he will call upon local authorities to review the lengths of road under their control that are restricted to the 30 miles per hour speed limit in order that sections that are not built up or dangerous may be freed from the limit, thus increasing the respect of the motorist for the speed limit and reducing and easing the task of the police.
§ Mr. BarnesI have already brought to the notice of local authorities the importance which I attach to the observance of sound principles in the imposition and removal of speed limits and I have expressed the hope that they will periodically review all the roads in their areas.
Surgeon Lieut.-Commander BennettIs it not a fact that many local authorities, out of zeal on behalf of their local inhabitants, impose limits on stretches of road which cannot conceivably be called "built-up," thereby severely prejudicing through-traffic? Will the Minister give this tricky subject a good deal of attention to try to reduce the number of stretches of such road in order that the regulations, as in the case of pedestrian crossings, may be more honoured?
§ Mr. BarnesLocal authorities have not full power in this direction. I have to confirm the order, and I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that very great care is taken over every proposal.
Colonel ClarkeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while there may be certain places where de-restriction could take place without danger to local inhabitants, there are others where the present regulations make it impossible to impose a 30 mile-an-hour limit which is very much required, as at Burwash in East Sussex?
§ Mr. BarnesNo, that is not the case. While we conform to the general conditions laid down in the Traffic Act, if there is sufficient evidence of the need for a speed restriction order outside the built-up area, then, provided I have the evidence of the police and local opinion, and the justification of road statistics, I do not hesitate to deal with exceptional instances.
Colonel ClarkeAm I to understand from that reply that the Minister has discretion to define what is a built-up area, and that it does not necessarily mean that there are houses on both sides of the road?
§ Mr. BarnesNo, I would not say that I have power to define what is a built-up area. Nevertheless, there are exceptions to the rule.
§ Mr. H. HyndWill my right hon. Friend nevertheless leave as much discretion as possible to local authorities?
§ Mr. BarnesCertainly.