HC Deb 18 November 1958 vol 595 cc994-6
24. Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many accidents took place, and how many fatalities were involved, in the area of the village of Crawford in the County of Lanark on the Glasgow-Carlisle road on 9th August, 1958.

Mr. N. Macpherson

Fourteen minor collisions, not involving fatal injuries, took place on the Glasgow-Carlisle road between Hurlburn Bridge and Harthope Viaduct on this day. None of them occurred in the village of Crawford.

Mr. Maitland

Is my hon. Friend aware that Crawford is a very serious safety hazard? Will he bear that in mind in considering when the Crawford by-pass should be started?

Mr. Macpherson

We have the Crawford by-pass under consideration and hope to start it before long. As my hon. Friend is well aware, the improvement of this Carlisle-Beattock road on through Crawford is one of the major commitments of our present roads policy in Scotland.

25. Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that another fatal road accident occurred in the village of Crawford in the county of Lanark on 26th July on the Glasgow-Carlisle road; and what action he is taking to improve the road safety precautions there.

Mr. N. Macpherson

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend understands that the driver of the 'bus which was involved in the accident has been charged under Section 12 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.

Preparations are in hand for the construction of a diversion which will take the trunk road traffic out of the village.

Mr. Maitland

Can my hon. Friend go a little further and tell us when the Crawford by-pass will be started and finished, instead of saying "Before long"? We have been waiting for it for years.

Mr. Macpherson

As my hon. Friend knows, it is in the current programme and it will be started before long, but I obviously cannot give an exact date at this time.

Mr. Maitland

Will my hon. Friend reconsider that reply?

Mr. Woodburn

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many accidents are now occurring because drivers are compelled to drive far beyond safety hours and in vehicles which are not maintained as they used to be when they came under British Road Services, and that the increase in accidents has occurred since denationalisation?

Mr. Macpherson

That is not a matter which arises on this subject. The surface of the road to which my hon. Friend has referred has already been improved and I can assure him that there will be no avoidable delay in starting the Crawford by-pass.