HC Deb 23 July 1963 vol 681 cc1242-3
16. Sir C. Osborne

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the increasing noise caused by heavy traffic on main roads, if he will reconsider his policy of erecting telephone kiosks at the side of main roads, and wherever possible move them to quiet sites; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bevins

I try to site telephone kiosks where they can most conveniently be seen and used. Noisy situations are avoided where possible, but a compromise has sometimes got to be made between noise and accessibility. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind I will be glad to look into it.

Sir C. Osborne

Since I am asked for it, would my right hon. Friend send his experts to look at a kiosk which he has on the Louth-Grimsby main road, a road which is carrying heavier and heavier traffic? It makes it very difficult for elderly people who are hard of hearing. Will my right hon. Friend look into this? This is happening not only in my constituency but in other parts of the country.

Mr. Bevins

The overriding consideration is the convenience of the public, but I will gladly send one of my people along to look into this case.

Mr. Manuel

Does the Postmaster-General recognise that, quite apart from the problem of noise from a heavy volume of traffic proceeding along main roads, there is also the danger of parked vehicles on roads which are extensively used? Surely he ought to try to avoid congestion by siting telephone kiosks adjacent to main roads?

Mr. Bevins

There is something in that point. There are, of course, all sorts of considerations to be taken into account. There is, for example, the consideration of wilful damage to kiosks, which is more prevalent where they are sited off main roads.