Cowbridge Road, Cardiff

HC Deb 11 April 1962 vol 657 cc1308-9

46. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Transport what recent communication he has received from the Cardiff City Council concerning road safety provisions in Cowbridge Road, Cardiff: and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Marples

I have received no recent communication from the Council. But, after discussions with it in February, an experimental panda crossing has now been installed at the Amroth Road junction.

Mr. Thomas

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable anxiety amongst the people who live in the Cowbridge Road district of Cardiff, because the panda crossing has already been the scene of further accidents? Will he give urgent consideration to the question of safety on this road, where a number of people have lost their lives during the past few years, and far more have been injured?

Mr. Marples

It was installed on 2nd April and it is now 11th April. I will consider this. I will look into the matter and see what accidents have occurred since then. I will look at it and ask the council to communicate with the hon. Member.

Mr. Lipton

Is it not clear that these pandas have become a flop and that the sooner they are given up the better?

Mr. Marples

As usual, I disagree with the hon. Gentleman. The panda crossing has great advantages. The point is that it can come into operation when there is an immediate demand for pedestrian help, and at other times the free flow of traffic is not disturbed. I am looking closely into the experiments that are being carried out, and we must have experiments. The great thing is to try to improve the situation all the time and I can assure hon. Members that if this experiment wants amending it shall be amended and if experience shows that it should be kept, we shall do so.

Mr. C. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that the people of Wales will appreciate it if he will treat Cardiff with the same consideration as he treats the capitals of England and Scotland?

Mr. Marples

I personally am not responsible for what happens to roads in the capital of Scotland, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that Wales gets more than its fair share of expenditure on roads.