§ 37. Miss Quennellasked the Minister of Transport if he will issue an instruction to highway authorities to review the 27 positioning and siting of street furniture, such as direction signs, bollards, etc., where these form impediments to the motorists' vision at road junctions.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe Department has given highway authorities advice on the need to avoid obstruction of visibility. We have seen no evidence that this is a widespread problem but we would gladly look into any particular case the hon. Lady has in mind.
§ Miss QuennellDoes not the hon. Gentleman realise that one of the most flourishing thickets of these bollards is outside this building in Parliament Square? They are all over the country, in practically any town through which the hon. Gentleman cares to motor. Surely he should do more than just send out a circular?
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe Department issues a booklet entitled "Informatory Signs for Use on All-purpose Roads". The new Worboys signs being introduced in many parts of the country have forced another look at a number of existing signs and bollards. This may help solve the hon. Lady's problem. The maximum height for a bollard is 3 ft. 6 in., and it is intended that that height should be sufficient to prevent the blocking of visibility.
§ Mr. Ian LloydIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the existence of a rich dividend in childrens' lives which would follow an urgent issue of an illuminated school crossing patrol sign? Is there any possibility of the Government looking at this urgently and giving an answer before the winter is over?
§ Mr. CarmichaelThat is quite a different question from this, which concerns street furniture.