§ 2.38 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will urge local authorities to take steps to see that street names are prominently displayed at all intersections; and whether they are aware that traffic delays and accidents occur due to failure to provide street name-plates on buildings at many important street corners, particularly in London and other large cities.]
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, we are aware of the benefits to traffic of displaying street names clearly at intersections, and although my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation has no formal responsibility for street name plates, I am glad to have this opportunity of reminding local authorities of the recommendations on this subject contained in his Circular sent to them in 1952.
LORD GIFFORDMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his Answer, I should like to ask him whether he is aware that, when old buildings or terraced houses are demolished and replaced by a large office block or block of flats, it frequently happens that while the name of that block is prominently displayed, perhaps even in neon lights, 341 quite often the name of the street does not appear on the corner of that building at all.
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I think my noble friend has raised an important and a good point; but it is, of course, a matter for the local authorities concerned. I feel that he has done a service by helping to call attention to this matter, and that the authorities will take note for future action.
§ LORD SILKINMy Lords, it is not at all certain that the authorities invariably read the Questions and Answers in this House. Would it not be desirable for the Minister himself to make fresh recommendations—the last time this was done was in 1952—specifically on this important point?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I do not know whether the noble Lord is familiar with the circular to which I referred, but it is an extremely good one and very comprehensive, as was its distribution. It may be that it would be a good idea to do what the noble Lord has suggested, and I will convey his remarks to my right honourable friend.
LORD HAMPTONMy Lords, would the noble Lord agree that one urgent thing is to make these signs considerably larger? Often one has to go very slowly behind a hesitant car driver who is looking for a street and is unable to find it. That, surely, is an added danger to driving on our roads.
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, if signs are put up in accordance with the recommendations, I think there can be little cause for complaint. It is obvious that they should be as clear as possible.
LORD SALTOUNMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that in the cities of Canada this question never arises?
§ LORD CHESHAMNo, my Lords, I should not expect it to arise from the Question of my noble friend Lord Gifford.
§ LORD FERRIERMy Lords, if it is proposed to take any steps to publicise this real need, would it not be wise at the same time to publicise the need for numbers to be clearly displayed on some of these large blocks? Because this is a matter which also causes confusion once the street has been found.
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, the whole matter is incumbent upon the local authority concerned. They have a statutory obligation to mark houses with numbers and streets with names, and one would hope that they would pay close attention to carrying out that obligation.