§ 4 and 29. Miss Irene Wardasked the Minister of Transport (1) on what grounds he has refused permission to the county borough of Tynemouth to impose a speed limit of 30 miles per hour within its boundary when Newcastle-upon-Tyne was given such authority covering the Cow Hill which is an open space without buildings of any kind; and if he will reconsider his decision;
(2) on what grounds the application of the county borough of Tynemouth to apply a 30-mile-per-hour speed limit on a portion of the main through road to the coast was refused, when the whole of the main Great North Road, within the boundaries of the city and county of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is so restricted.
§ Mr. BarnesI think it is right to distinguish between the coast road, which was designed as a main through traffic route, and the Newcastle-upon-Tyne road passing Cow Hill and running between Town Moor and Nuns Moor, which are largely used for recreation. Though the North Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is also a through traffic route it has a bad accident record despite the speed limit and the control of junctions by traffic lights and it passes close to Town Moor.
§ Miss WardIn view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman is continually asserting that he accepts the advice of the local authorities in these matters, why does he accept advice from Newcastle and refuse it from Tynemouth? Will he reconsider the application of Tynemouth, as I have requested?
§ Mr. BarnesIf there is a conflict of local opinion, I think I am justified in coming to a decision on the basis of the purpose for which the road was built.