HC Deb 04 July 1962 vol 662 cc516-7
13 Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to receive from the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee its recommendations concerning the proposed alteration of the speed limits on the A.22 at South Godstone.

Mr. Hay

We have received and we accept the Committee's recommendation that this road should be subject to a 40 m. p. h. speed limit.

Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan

Does not my hon. Friend agree that, as a matter of common sense as well as courtesy, this decision should not have been reached without my hon. Friend or the Minister or the Traffic Advisory Committee meeting and discussing the recommendation with the local residents, among whom feeling on this subject is very intense?

Mr. Hay

I wrote to my right hon. Friend about this matter on 3rd July. Perhaps he will study my answer, from which I think it is clear that no discourtesy was intended. The members of the Traffic Advisory Committee were very fully aware of the situation at that place and many of them knew it from personal experience.

Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan

My hon. Friend states that the members of the Traffic Advisory Committee knew this area and this problem. Can he say whether they have visited it in their capacity as road hogs on their way to the South Coast or as unhappy pedestrians trying to cross the road?

Mr. Hay

I do not think either of those assertions is justified.