§ 31. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the danger to children going to school crossing the main Ninian Park Road and 381 Tudor Street Highway, Cardiff, at the Clare Road junction and the Plantagenet Street junction; and what action he intends to take to protect children at these points.
§ Mr. HayNeither we nor the Cardiff County Borough Council, which is the responsible authority, have received any representations regarding danger to children crossing Tudor Street. Where numbers of children have to cross a busy road, the normal practice is to provide a school crossing patrol, but this is a matter for the local education authority.
§ Mr. ThomasIn view of that inadequate reply, may I ask whether the Minister is aware that this Question is a representation? Is he further aware that there is a growing opinion in the locality that unless a child is injured or killed nothing will be done? Will he make representations to the local authority and indicate that there is concern by the hon. Member for Cardiff, West about this matter?
§ Mr. HayThe hon. Gentleman has far greater influence with the local education authority than we have.
§ Mr. ThomasI do not dispute that, but may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether, as the lives and well-being of children are concerned, he will make representations for a watch to be kept on these spots during the next few weeks?
§ Mr. HayI will go this far with the hon. Gentleman. I will ask the divisional road engineer to let me have a report on conditions here and we can then see if any representations are needed.