§ 21. Mr. Goodhartasked the Minister of Transport when he will be able to announce the result of the investigation made by the Road Research Laboratory into the present day use and value of pedestrian crossings.
§ Mr. MarplesA report by the Road Research Laboratory shows that the relationship between pedestrian accidents on and within 50 yards of pedestrian crossings and pedestrian accidents in built-up areas generally has hardly altered since 1952. However, the proportion of accidents actually on crossings increased between 1953 and 1959 whilst the proportion within 50 yards of a crossing decreased. I am disturbed by the increase of accidents on crossings and I am looking further into the matter in collaboration with the Road Research Laboratory.
§ Mr. GoodhartHas my right hon. Friend yet been able to ascertain whether he intends either to allow more pedestrian crossings to be laid or less? Can he make any estimate?
§ Mr. MarplesNo. I think that we should wait until we see what the Road Research Laboratory says. It issued its last Report a considerable time ago and it is now going into this question again.