§ 36. Sir L. Plummerasked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made with the provision of traffic lights at the junction of Gower Street and Hampstead Road, London.
§ Mr. HayThe St. Pancras Metropolitan Borough Council, which is the highway authority, is about to invite tenders for the provision of traffic light signals at this junction.
§ Sir L. PlummerIs the Minister aware that I first raised this matter in 1957 and that in February, 1959, his predecessor said that the accident rate at this junction was rising? I was told towards the end of last year that the lights would be installed. Is the Minister seriously suggesting that it takes three years to have traffic lights installed in an important street in London?
§ Mr. HayIn this case, yes. The timing of the project appears to have been influenced largely by considerations of finance. The St. Pancras Borough Council allocated the project to 1960–61 and was not at all responsive to our pleas Chat it should be brought forward. The responsibility, therefore, does not rest with us.