§ 49. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reconsider the present traffic volume requirements needed before road safety crossings are provided at dangerous road junctions.
§ Mr. PeytonI am reconsidering the criteria for traffic signals at junctions.
§ Mr. CoxI welcome that reply because I am aware that the right hon. Gentleman is aware that this is a real problem with young children and 419 especially elderly people. Unfortunately, because of the lack of safety crossings at many road junctions, there is a total disregard by many motorists of people's difficulties in crossing the road. I hope that we shall hear in the very near future the right hon. Gentleman's proposals for improving the situation.
§ Mr. PeytonI am sure that the hon. Gentleman would not wish to give the impression that there is a wholesale disregard of these crossings, which play a very useful part in road safety, as I am sure he would acknowledge.
§ Mr. PeytonIf the hon. Gentleman has any particular difficulty in mind, I will look into it if he wishes me to do so.
§ Mr. SpearingCan the right hon. Gentleman throw any light on why the road safety manual for pedestrians has been in preparation in his Department for over three years? Can he tell us when it will be published?
§ Mr. PeytonIf the hon. Gentleman puts down a Question on that point, I will answer it.