§ 45. Mr. Dempseyasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the diverse nature of public lighting on trunk roads; and if he will encourage lighting authorities to provide a uniform type of public lighting in due course.
§ Mr. MarplesYes, Sir. That is why I encourage lighting authorities to provide on trunk roads a uniform standard of illumination and to avoid sharp differences between adjoining lengths.
§ Mr. DempseyHas the Minister also consulted the Road Users' Association to ensure that, whatever standard type of public lighting is approved, it will be acceptable to all concerned and satisfy all the interests that it is the best form of accident prevention lighting which we can possibly have on our highways at present?
§ Mr. MarplesYes. Representatives of road users were on the recent Committee which recommended on uniform street lighting.
§ Sir Richard PilkingtonIs my right hon. Friend aware that by far the best sort of lighting, whether it is raining or whether it is dry, is what I think is called the red sodium lighting?
§ Mr. MarplesThe best sort of lighting varies with the circumstances of the particular road. If there are trees, one sort of lighting is needed. If there are not trees, another sort of lighting is preferable. The type of lighting wanted really depends on the circumstances.
§ Mr. ManuelDoes the Minister recognise that at some school crossings on trunk roads no lighting is provided? Will he look into this matter, because during the winter months there are traffic wardens conducting school children across these crossings and motorists come upon them in inadequate lighting conditions?
§ Mr. MarplesIf the hon. Gentleman would give me particulars of any case he has in mind where these dangerous conditions apply, I will certainly look into it.