§ 20. Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Minister of Transport what conclusions he has come to as a result of his investigation of the circumstances in which a young boy was killed on the Panda crossing on the A.20 at Swanley on 31st August, 1962; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. HayI understand that legal proceedings are to be taken against the driver of the vehicle. The matter must therefore be regarded as sub judice and it would be wrong for me to comment at this stage.
§ Mr. IrvingI appreciate the Minister's reply, but may I ask him to appreciate also that there is a great deal of local interest in the danger from this crossing? In view of this tragic accident, and in view of the apprehension on the part of pedestrians and some motorists about the danger arising from this type of crossing, will he look again at the question of these crossings throughout the country?
§ Mr. HayThe Panda crossings throughout the country have not been in operation for 12 months yet, and I think that we need to wait a little longer before we can precisely assess the results. The House may like to know that in fact on the Panda crossings in the country at the moment there have been fewer accidents in the first five months of operation than at the same sites in the corresponding period a year ago. So the facts, on the face of it, appear to be against the belief that these are unsafe.