§ 1 and 2. Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) whether he will direct the issue of propaganda to predestrians advising them not to step on to a pedestrian crossing when a vehicle has passed the studs to be provided under the Pedestrian Crossing Regulations, 1954, Schedule 1, Part II, paragraph 8;
(2) whether he will direct the issue of propaganda to drivers advising them of the speed above which they should not pass over the studs to be provided under Regulation 7 of the Pedestrian Crossing Regulations, 1954, Schedule 1, Part II, paragraph 8.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Hugh Molson)The line of studs to which my hon. Friend refers will indicate the line, usually 45 feet from the edge of the zebra, beyond which no stopping or parking by vehicles will be allowed. It has no relevance to the speed of vehicles, and pedestrians must use their judgment as to when it is safe to cross if they see a vehicle approaching.
§ Mr. PageDoes not my hon. Friend consider that this very beneficial area of clear vision may be turned to even greater advantage by its being recognised and publicised as a sort of special care area as well?
§ Mr. MolsonI think it is obvious that motorists will regard it as necessary to slow down when they are approaching a pedestrian crossing. I am sure my hon. Friend will realise that the time in which a vehicle can pull up depends in part on the weight of the vehicle. Obviously, a heavily laden vehicle will take much longer to pull up than a light touring car. It also depends upon the surface of the road.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs it still not going to be a battle of wits between the pedestrians and the driver of the lorry or other vehicle concerned?
§ Mr. MolsonIt is our hope that neither side will regard it as a battle, but as an opportunity for co-operation.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltWould my hon. Friend clarify the rights of pedestrians in this matter, and point out that pedestrians have no right until they have actually stepped on to the crossing—that, I think, being the legal position—because it is very confusing for motorists to see rows of pedestrians standing on the edge of the pavement expecting to be let across—waiting like maidens contemplating matrimony?
§ Mr. MolsonWe shall do all we can in the way of publicity before and after 1st July.
§ 3. Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation by what publicity he proposes to warn pedestrians that, as from 1st July, 1954, a controlled pedestrian crossing at the times of day when it is not controlled will afford them no protection.
§ Mr. MolsonI think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Controlled crossings, marked by studs, but not by stripes or beacons, will be of two kinds only, those controlled by a policeman in uniform and those controlled by lights. A pedestrian will know that he enjoys no protection when there is no policeman on duty or when the lights are not in operation. The point will be covered in our publicity, but it will, I think, be obvious enough.
§ Mr. PageWill my hon. Friend agree that after 1st July there may still be zebras marked that are controlled and yet give the pedestrian no protection? Will he not make that quite clear to the public?
§ Mr. MolsonNo, that is not the position. It is the duty of the highway authorities to remove the stripes before 1st July in cases where there will be a policeman on duty for more than 20 hours a week.
§ 5. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what evidence is available that zebra crossings have reduced the number of accidents to pedestrians, compared with those areas where 300 urban authorities have not installed zebra crossings.
§ Mr. MolsonNo reliable conclusions can be drawn from such comparisons, but there is ample evidence that zebra crossings have helped to keep down pedestrian casualties generally.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonHow can the hon. Gentleman explain the fact that in those areas where there are no zebra crossings the accident rate is very much less than in those places where there are zebra crossings? As the number of persons killed or seriously injured on zebra crossings is higher this year than last, when will the hon. Gentleman reconsider this costly and complicated experiment?
§ Mr. MolsonThe value of zebra crossings is a matter of opinion. The Pedestrians' Association has obtained the views of 168 local authorities. Three of them agree with the hon. Member and 165 agree with me.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter again.
31. Air Commodore Harveyasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will reconsider his decision not to allow zebra crossings at the Redhouse Lane site and at the Newtown site at Disley, Cheshire, as it is considered locally that zebra crossings at both these points are necessary.
§ Mr. MolsonAs my hon. and gallant Friend knows from the letter which I sent him on 14th May, we shall be prepared to reconsider this matter if the development of a housing estate near the sites for the proposed crossings leads to an increase in pedestrian traffic across the road.
Air Commodore HarveyWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that there are a great number of new houses being built in this area? Will he also bear in mind what he said in answer to an earlier Question, regarding what 157 local authorities had told him, and when he is next in his constituency, will he have a look at this area which is just on the border of his constituency?
§ Mr. MolsonI said in my original reply that we are prepared to reconsider the decision if it is shown that the development on the housing estate has produced a great increase in pedestrian traffic.