§ 2.36 p.m.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they contemplate improving the lighting of the Hanger Lane underpass in the interests of public safety.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)My Lords, experience so far does not, in my right honourable friend's opinion, indicate that the lighting of the underpass is defective or in any way dangerous. Arrangements are being made for the walls and ceiling to be cleaned at shorter intervals than hitherto so that their capacity to reflect the light is not diminished by soot and grime.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, may I be allowed to ask the noble Lord whether he is aware that if on a bright day you go into this underpass and there is anything 380 in front of you, you cannot possibly see it? The vehicles using the underpass are not required to use tail lights or anything like that and it is extremely dangerous.
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I always think that optical analysis, as a driver sees it, of lighting of this kind is a very subjective matter. I do not think I can add to the fact that there is nothing in experience, either in the accident record or in volume of complaints, or anything like that, which indicates the situation is out of hand.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, I hope I can be forgiven for putting a further supplementary. It is quite impossible on a bright day when you go into that underpass to see whether there is anything in front of you or not.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, surely the subjective reaction is the most important factor in the event of an accident.
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, of course it varies. All I can say is that I have listened with interest to what my noble friend has said, but he appears, so far as we are aware, to be in a very small minority in this matter because, apart from his own, so far only one other complaint has reached us.