§ 25. Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the recent widening of the western end of Broadmead Road, Woodford Green, and the consequent increase in the speed of traffic using the road, he will now provide a controlled pedestrian crossing over Broadmead Road at its junction with Charteris Road.
§ Mr. Tom FraserNo, Sir. The London Borough of Redbridge will, I understand, be widening Broadmead Road at this junction and installing refuge islands to enable pedestrians to cross in two stages. I consider this the better course.
§ Mr. JenkinWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake to look at this again? Does he not recognise that, since the dual carriageway was introduced on the first hundred yards, the remainder of the road has become exceedingly dangerous for pedestrians to cross and that even the suggestion which he has just made is unlikely to make it any safer, or significantly safer, for pedestrians to cross this road?
§ Mr. FraserI have said that certain steps are being taken. The hon. Member 443 calls attention to great danger on this road. According to all the information which I have had, since December, 1962, only two accidents involving pedestrians have been reported at this junction, so that it does not seem to have such a high accident record as the supplementary question would suggest. In any case, the House, I think, would be willing that I should have proper consultations with the appropriate highway authorities and that they should get their proper place in the scheme of things in our democracy.