HC Deb 25 April 1961 vol 639 cc228-9
37. Mr. A. Royle

asked the Minister of Works if he will give the figures of deer killed by motor vehicles in Richmond Park after dark and in daylight for the first four months after the speed limit was increased and the later opening during the winter months was introduced, and comparative figures for the same period for the three previous years.

Lord John Hope

With permission, I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the information:

The speed limit was increased on 4th August, 1960, and the Park opened to traffic after dusk one month later. The figures of known casualties to deer are:

August None
September None
October Three
November Four
December Four

In addition, in the three months October-December four collisions with deer were reported but no injured deer was found.

No figures are available for the previous years, but the number of casualties is thought to be small.

38. Mr. A. Royle

asked the Minister of Works if he will give the figures of road accidents in Richmond Park for the first four months after the speed limit was increased to 30 miles-per-hour, with separate figures for injured and killed, and comparable figures for the three previous years.

Lord John Hope

I will, with permission, give the detailed figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT. In the four months after the speed limit was increased, there were only five accidents, of which three concerned bicycles only. Pedestrians were not involved in any of the accidents at all, and no one was killed.

Mr. Royle

Is my hon. Friend aware that many people living in Richmond are concerned about his intentions with regard to the Park? Will he give me an assurance that he has no intention, while he holds his present office, of widening the roads, installing traffic lights, installing "Keep Left" signs and other safety paraphernalia which we find on the public highway today?

Lord John Hope

Yes, I can give that assurance. Some feeling has been irresponsibly stirred up locally. It is based on false figures and imaginary prospects and, therefore, upon unwarranted anxieties.

Following are the detailed figures:

In the four months from the 4th August, 1960, when the speed limit was increased, the figures were:

  • 5 accidents, 6 injured
In the comparable period of the three previous years they were:

1957 1 accident, 1 injured
1958 1 accident, 1 injured
1959 2 accidents, 3 injured