§ Lord SANDFORDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how travellers are to find country parks and picnic sites.
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, traffic signposting of all kinds is the responsibility of the local highway authority making use of signs prescribed in the regulations made jointly by my right honourable friends the Secretary of State for the Environment, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales. Worded local signs are currently in use for country parks and picnic sites. A symbol for picnic sites will, however, be proposed in the new traffic signs regulations now in preparation.
§ Lord SANDFORDMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that that is not really enough? Why have not more highway authorities posted more advance signs to these sites? Is it not a waste of public money to provide facilities like these and then do nothing to help the public to use and enjoy them? Can the noble Lord say why new copies of the Ordnance Survey maps contain no reference to these facilities?
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, I I would agree that it is important, having provided country parks and picnic sites, that the public is able to find them and enjoy them. The main reason why some country parks and picnic sites are not signed, or not signed well enough, is that it is a matter for the local highway authority to judge traffic needs and the priorities of places requiring signing at 402 any particular traffic point. On the question of maps which the noble Lord raised, I assume that he is talking about the new Southern block sheets of the Ordnance Survey, in the 1:50,000 series. The country parks and picnic sites will be shown on the Northern block maps in this series which are shortly to be published. The production schedule for the sheets of the Southern block, published in March of this year, did not enable country parks to be put on the maps because of the lack of time.
§ Lord SANDFORDMy Lords, may I say I do not think that that is particularly satisfactory. If I ask a Question for Written Answer in two or three months' time, will the noble Lord try to give your Lordships a rather fuller Answer as to what provision has been made by what authorities, or will be made before the next tourist and holiday season begins?
§ Lord MELCHETTYes, my Lords, I should be happy to do that. I can say that if there is any particular site which the noble Lord has in mind which he feels is not signed satisfactorily, the Government will be happy to look into it.
§ Lord SLATERMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that in response to the original Question I noticed that he said most definitely that the highway authority was the responsible body for these traffic signs? Did he not omit to say that when such signs are erected in built up areas, where you have a 30 or 40 m.p.h. speed limit, then another authority is brought into operation in such considerations; namely, the police? Are the police eliminated altogether wherever traffic signs have to be established by the highway authority?
§ Lord MELCHETTNo, my Lords: my understanding is that the local authority would consult the police on the positioning of traffic signs. I should imagine that, on the whole, country parks and picnic sites would be outside the 30 m.p.h. limit.
§ Lord DERWENTMy Lords, does the noble Lord realise that in country areas, and particularly in National Parks, since the last Act concerning bridleways and footpath signposting was passed, we have more than enough signposts, and that the countryside, and the National Parks in 403 particular, are looking like new housing estates? While quite agreeing that it is necessary to have road signs for people to get to picnic sites and so on, would those concerned also consider at the same time taking down some of these other obnoxious signs?
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, I think that that is a different Question. I may say that any of the National Parks that I have visited, and I have visited most of them, do not look remotely like housing estates.
§ Lord DERWENTMy Lords, would the noble Lord come and stay with me sometime and see mine?
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, I should be delighted.
§ Lord MOLSONMy Lords, do the Government recall that one of the main purposes of the encouragement of the setting up of country parks was to provide opportunities for rather gregarious enjoyment for the inhabitants of towns and, in consequence, to discourage everybody from going to the National Parks? Would the Government, therefore, do what they can to ensure that the inhabitants of towns are given guidance as to where they can get the relaxation and enjoyment of country parks reasonably near the towns where they live?
§ Lord MELCHETTYes, my Lords. There are a large number of maps and guides already published by the Countryside Commission, the Forestry Commission, and other bodies, and the Countryside Commission are looking at ways in which the general public may be helped to locate country parks and picnic sites.
§ Lord WYNNE-JONESMy Lords, would not my noble friend agree that the best way to find any place of refreshment is to follow one's nose?