HL Deb 20 November 1951 vol 174 cc347-8

2.41 p.m.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether consideration can be given to the provision of striped pedestrian crossings in the Royal Parks, in the interests of public safety.]

THE EARL OF ONSLOW

My Lords, in the absence of my noble friend Lord Munster, I have been asked to reply. The Road Traffic Acts do not apply to roads in the Royal Parks, which are maintained primarily for the rest and recreation of the public and not for the purpose of providing public thoroughfares. It is the duty of the motorists to give way to pedestrians in any part of the Park, and for this reason a 20 mile speed limit has been imposed for many years. Pedestrian crossings, which would imply that the motorist had a prior right of way elsewhere in the park, are not considered appropriate, and could not in any case be made effective unless special regulations were made and laid before Parliament.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for his reply, may I point out that his answer is one which might have been appropriate if drafted ten or fifteen years ago? Is the noble Earl aware that the arterial roadways proceeding through the main parks are some of the broadest in London, and does he not realise that children, nurses, and pedestrians in general, often have the greatest difficulty in getting across the road because of the constant stream of traffic? Does the noble Earl not agree that it is a reasonable suggestion that striped crossings should be provided at such places as the Victoria Memorial, and at other places at Hyde Park and elsewhere, and may I ask whether further consideration can be given to the matter?

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether we are to take it that, by law, every pedestrian in Royal Parks has priority over every form of vehicular traffic?

THE EARL OF ONSLOW

My Lords, in reply to the noble Lord. Lord Lucas of Chilworth, that is how I am informed at the moment, but I will certainly look into the matter. In reply to the noble Earl, Lord Howe, I will bring his observations to the notice of my noble friend Lord Munster.