§ 30. Mr. Barnesasked the Minister of Transport whether she will take steps to speed up the way in which applications for pedestrian crossings are dealt with.
§ Mr. John MorrisApplications are dealt with as quickly as possible. But delays sometimes arise in obtaining the necessary detailed information about accidents and traffic volumes at the proposed site.
§ Mr. BarnesWould not the hon. Gentleman agree that the complicated negotiations which have to take place among the local authorities, the Ministry and the police often have a disillusioning effect on members of the public who have to petition because they feel that these problems are urgent? Is it not possible to streamline this machine?
§ Mr. MorrisI will bear the hon. Gentleman's remarks in mind, but there are of course the difficulties of ensuring 1388 that there is not an undue proliferation of these crossings. In 1951, two-thirds had to be done away with because they were not properly regarded. In the meantime, we have to take proper consultations. Divisional road engineers have to have a proper census. Consultations with the police and, in London, with the G.L.C., have to take place, and this may take from time to time a little longer than usual.