HL Deb 22 January 1959 vol 213 cc705-6

3.5 p.m.

LORD MORRIS

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, whether their attention has been called to the action of a public authority which, whilst providing pedestrian crossings on a prodigal scale in Park Lane (which running straight for almost its entire length has no need of them), refuses to lay down even one in Carlos Place, Grosvenor Square, at a point where traffic from Grosvenor Square, Berkeley Square, Mount Street, Mount Row and Adams Row intersects at angles and speeds which render the provision of such crossings imperative for the preservation of life and limb.]

THE EARL OF GOSFORD

My Lords, Westminster City Council, who are the responsible authority for deciding whether to seek approval for the installation of crossings in the area of Carlos Place, have looked into this matter on several occasions. They have consistently reached the conclusion that conditions in this part of Carlos Place are not such as to warrant this step, and I understand that this view is shared by the Commissioner of Police. My right honourable friend sees no reason to dissent from the views of these responsible authorities. The much heavier weight of traffic in Park Lane, which is ten times as long as Carlos Place, amply justifies the priority afforded at its five pedestrian crossings.

LORD MORRIS

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl one supplementary question arising out of his Answer? Would he kindly tell the House, quite candidly, who he thinks is in a better position to assess a problem of this description—a Member of your Lordships' House, who, like myself, has lived and worked on the spot for over twenty years and has had a grandstand view (if I may put it in that way) of traffic conditions obtaining on the spot, or a lot of woolly-minded old women on the Westminster City Council?

THE EARL OF GOSFORD

My Lords, while not in any way going along with the noble Lord in the last part of his supplementary question, I regret to say that I do not feel like answering him, since it is entirely a matter of opinion.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether that is a polite way of describing a 100 per cent. Conservative City Council?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, may I ask whether the noble Earl would consider this matter again? I have had to cross Carlos place on a number of occasions, and have been doing so steadily with risk to myself as a pedestrian and with risk to pedestrians as a driver. I would suggest to Westminster City Council that they seek information on this matter directly from local residents.

LORD FERRIER

My Lords, may I ask a supplementary question of the noble Earl—that is, whether the local authorities are aware of the very large volume of business traffic which passes between the business premises in Carlos Place and the post office in Mount Street, which is becoming of increasing importance?

THE EARL OF GOSFORD

I am sure that the authorities concerned are fully aware of the conditions described by the noble Lord. I will, however, bring your Lordships' views to the notice of my right honourable friend.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether it would not be possible to ask Westminster City Council if they could think again. I do not share the noble Lord's description of Westminter City Council, expressed just now, but they might be asked to think again.

THE EARL OF GOSFORD

My Lords, as I have already said, I will gladly bring your Lordships' views to the attention of my right honourable friend.

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