§ 27. Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that Gosforth Urban District Council is planning the removal of the heart of the village because of the congestion of traffic; and why he has not already taken further action to make the High Street safer for children and elderly people.
§ Mr. HayI am aware that the local authorities are considering a plan to resite the central shopping area of Gosforth to the west of the Great North Road. So far as the second part of the Question is concerned my hon. Friend will be aware from correspondence with me of the measures which have been taken or which are being currently examined to improve the safety of the High Street.
§ Dame Irene WardMay I ask whether my hon. Friend is aware that elderly people, children and parents of children are scared to death to cross the main road in Gosforth village? May I ask why traffic lights have been put up in an area in Gosforth where there have been no fatal accidents, where there is no traffic speeding and where it is possible to see in all directions, but have been refused in the High Street? Is he aware that there is a shortage of police? Is my hon. Friend concerned only with keeping the traffic moving, and is he aware that it moves far too fast through the centre of Gosforth, resulting in fatal accidents and creating great anxiety for people who live there? Will he please get on with doing something about it?
§ Dame Irene WardWith no result.
§ Mr. Hay—and I am afraid that today, in answer to Questions, I cannot go into some of the details which she has raised. We are obliged to my hon. Friend for bringing her point of view to our notice and we shall get on with this matter as quickly as possible.