HC Deb 03 March 1952 vol 497 cc5-7
8. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Transport the number of accidents that have taken place on the main road between Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle, during the years, 1949, 1950, 1951, respectively; and on what date his Department received a proposal for high-power mercury-vapour lighting on the road between Flash Lane and the Black Lion Hotel, Trent Vale.

Mr. Maclay

Accidents involving death or personal injury on the length of road from Trentham Park to the south-eastern boundary of Newcastle amounted to 38, including 2 deaths, in 1949; 49, including 2 deaths, in 1950; and 46, including 4 deaths, in 1951.

The length of road referred to in the last part of the Question is part of a much longer stretch of road, about the lighting of which the council approached my divisional road engineer in December, 1948. Formal applications in respect of parts of the scheme were submitted in December, 1949, and December, 1950. Preliminary approval of the whole scheme, including the section referred to, was given by my Department in February, 1951, and final plans have now been submitted for agreement before tenders are invited.

Mr. Smith

In view of the relatively short length of this road and the fact that the local Member has been pressing for action for years, now that the seriousness of the situation has been proved can the Minister say who has been responsible for the delay? Secondly, will he agree to give super-priority to this proposal?

Mr. Maclay

I confess that when I saw the details which I had to give in this reply, I was horrified by the delay that has been involved; but it has been a complicated question, and it has not only been my Department which has been involved in the difficulties. I could not commit myself to such a thing as super-priority at this stage for any particular scheme.

Mr. Smith

In view of the loss of life and the terrible tragedy, particularly among the working class who are forced to live along that main road, can we be told why the scheme cannot be given priority?

Mr. Maclay

Unfortunately, there are similar problems all over the country. I assure the hon. Member, however, that the whole context of this matter is being very carefully studied.

9. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Transport if he will treat as a matter of urgency the proposals made by the City of Stoke-on-Trent for dealing with the dangerous part of the main road between Flash Lane and the Black Lion Hotel, Trent Vale, by the immediate provision of traffic signals at several points, and a reduction of the speed limit between the two serious danger points.

Mr. Maclay

The Stoke-on-Trent City Council have made no such proposals to me, but I am investigating traffic condi tions on this road and will, of course, give careful consideration to any representations they may make.

10. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Transport if he has considered the application made by the City of Stoke-on-Trent for more pedestrian crossings to be allowed in the city; what decision he has come to; and what steps he is authorising to minimise the dangers on the roads in the city.

Mr. Maclay

Yes, Sir. I have given this application very careful consideration and I am hoping to persuade the city council that it would be unwise to stripe as many crossings as they have asked for.

With regard to the last part of the Question, I am prepared to consider how far any improvement schemes submitted by the council can be authorised under the provision which, I hope, will be available for road safety schemes in 1952–53.

Mr. Smith

Is it correct that the city council have asked for 43 extra crossings? If so, is the Minister aware that a large number of residents in the area consider that that is the minimum number required?

Mr. Maclay

Without looking very carefully at my notes and holding up proceedings, I should not like to say the exact number. I feel, however, that with some further discussion it should be possible to reach a satisfactory solution to this problem.

Dr. Barnett Stross

Has the Minister Oven special attention, as I think he promised to do, to the problem of school children crossing the road as they leave school? Does he remember that the authority were particularly aggrieved about this?

Mr. Maclay

All these questions are being very fully kept in mind.