HC Deb 10 March 1965 vol 708 cc397-8
19. Mr. Costain

asked the Minister of Transport whether the experiment with yellow box crossings has resulted in speeding the flow of traffic in the West End of London.

Mr. Tom Fraser

Generally the markings have improved conditions and reduced delays, particularly to the side-road traffic. The best results so far are at the busier junctions in Oxford Street and Regent Street.

More experience of the majority of the markings, which were put down as recently as January, is necessary before the value of the experiment can be properly assessed.

Mr. Costain

Is not this normal procedure under the Highway Code? Could the Minister take more steps to enforce the Highway Code so that this increased flow of traffic might be continued?

Mr. Fraser

It is my responsibility to draft and publish the Highway Code, not to enforce it.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Would the Minister think of extending this experiment to certain other parts of the country?

Mr. Fraser

This experiment was undertaken in London by the Ministry of Transport, as the traffic authority for London. As from 1st April the Greater London Council will become the traffic authority in London. If local authorities elsewhere in the country wish to try this experiment in congested towns, they are free to do so. It would, however, be wrong of me, before we have been able fully to evaluate the success of the experiment in London, to recommend other local authorities to undertake it.