§ 2.58 p.m.
§ Lord GridleyMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps are being taken to give pedestrians priority over traffic in residential areas.
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, the Government undertake a range of advisory and research activities aimed at improving the safety of pedestrians in residential areas. Although the regulation of traffic on residential roads is primarily the responsibility of local authorities, the Department of Transport is assessing effective ways of protecting pedestrians using traffic calming measures.
§ Lord GridleyMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer and express my appreciation of the work carried out by the road traffic department in this respect. Will my noble friend give an assurance that these important measures for the protection of pedestrians and those who live in residential areas 535 will not be overlooked when planning applications are produced at the appropriate time by, I believe, the local authorities?
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, local authorities have the key role in improving pedestrian facilities and in reducing pedestrian casualties, 95 per cent. of which occur on local authority roads. Central government's function is to assist local authorities by providing guidance and mechanisms for action. I have three leaflets produced by the Department of Transport which have been placed in the Library and which may be of interest to Members of your Lordships' House.
§ Lord John-MackieMy Lords, will the noble Viscount agree to protect from motorists the pedestrians crossing the road to the Commons from St. Margaret's? Sometimes, it is hardly possible to cross.
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, I am all for protecting everybody.
Lord MorrisMy Lords, does my noble friend agree that it is very little consolation to a pedestrian to know that he has priority when being mown down by an articulated lorry on a pedestrian crossing?
§ Viscount DavidsonI do not think that I can answer that question, my Lords.
§ Lord EzraMy Lords, can the noble Viscount tell the House whether it is part of the Government's plan to reduce the flow of heavy traffic through residential areas? Is he aware for example of the undue accumulation of coach traffic in the Victoria area which is causing a lot of problems for residents there? Some noble Lords may be among those residents. Can the noble Viscount promise some alleviation of the problem before long?
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, I am well aware of the feelings of the noble Lord, Lord Ezra, on that matter. I think, however, that the question is a little wide of that on the Order Paper.
Viscount St. DavidsCan the noble Viscount satisfy my considerable curiosity and explain a "traffic calming" method?
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, I understand that it is a European phrase which has been translated into English. I am not sure what the original is. I understand that the idea is for drivers to drive more carefully and more calmly.
§ Lord GlenamaraMy Lords, can the noble Viscount do anything to persuade motorists in London to allow pedestrians to cross at pedestrian crossings? The way that motorists ignore such crossings is a sheer disgrace. It does not happen in the more civilised, law-abiding cities in the North of England.
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, when driving in London I do my best to stop at every pedestrian crossing, and I hope that everyone else does.
§ Lord UnderhillMy Lords, will the noble Viscount take a look at the provisions in the Highway Code relating to pedestrians at crossings controlled by traffic lights in places where there is no "green man" sign? Not far from my home there occurred recently a serious accident caused by a motorist turning right when the traffic lights were against him. There seems to be no clear indication in the Highway Code about this matter.
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, I think that that is a matter for the local authority. The Government can only provide guidance and suggestions about how to improve road layouts. One of the leaflets that I mentioned shows how accident rates went down considerably when layouts were altered by the local authorities.
§ Lord Mowbray and StourtonMy Lords, following up the remarks of the noble Lord, Lord Underhill, is it not the Government's policy to advise local councils? For instance, one thinks of Sloane Square by the Underground station and Parliament Square by the Houses of Parliament, where, in each case, there is an almost non-stop progression of pedestrians. If crossing lights are not provided to help the traffic move smoothly, it is bound to give rise to impatience on the part of drivers.
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, I shall bear in mind my noble friend's comments and will inform my right honourable friend of his remarks.
§ Lord UnderhillMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord who has just spoken for following up my question. I realise that layouts are the responsibility of local authorities but the Highway Code is the responsibility of the department. That is the matter about which I asked.
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, I am sorry that I did not have notice of that question. I do not have the Highway Code with me but I shall look into the matter.
§ Lord GreenwayMy Lords, does the noble Viscount agree that now is the time to take a long look at the whole question of urban pedestrian movement, bearing in mind the increasing difficulty and frustration caused to pedestrians in moving about the pavements in London, or indeed when going through the Underground system where the traditional "Keep Left" system is increasingly being abused?
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, I shall certainly convey the noble Lord's comments to my right honourable friend.