§ 11. Sir F. Macleanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will reconsider his decision to raise the speed limit on the A78 between Ardrossan and Stevenston.
§ Mr. YoungerI have considered very carefully the conditions on this road, but my view is that a 40 m.p.h. limit on the length of road in question will be more generally observed and thus more effective in contributing to safety.
§ Sir F. MacleanDoes not my hon. Friend realise that public opinion locally is dead against this speed increase? Why does he brush aside their objections simply to satisfy a lot of speed fiends from out with the area, probably from his own constituency? Does he not realise the risks involved in increasing the speed limit on a road which runs through a residential area and is constantly crossed by old people and school-children? How many more accidents is my hon. Friend waiting for before he will listen to what the local people say?
§ Mr. YoungerI hope my hon. Friend was not referring to the right hon. Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. Ross) or myself when he spoke of speed fiends. I well appreciate the feelings of the local people and, as my hon. Friend will know, one does have to bear in mind the statistics and the conditions under which the speed limit will operate. In the last three years there has been only one accident in which speed was a contributory factor, and that accident did not involve a pedestrian. I assure my hon. Friend that in the light of experience after a year I shall look at the results and reconsider the matter.