§ 88. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Transport if he will authorise a new zebra crossing in the Risco Road, Newport, opposite the Rougement Private Preparatory School, in view of the large number of small children attending from adjoining areas, the dangerous main road at this point and the number of other children using this crossing from other roads in the immediate neighbourhood where a pedestrian crossing has recently been removed.
§ Mr. MaclayAccording to my present information, neither the traffic nor the number of pedestrians justifies a crossing here. If, however, the school can arrange for an adult patrol I will consider authorising a sign to hold up traffic while schoolchildren cross the road.
§ 92. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced by motorists in seeing some of the new zebra-marked pedestrian 110W crossings at night in wet weather; and whether steps can be taken to render them more visible in such conditions.
§ Mr. MaclayThis matter is under urgent examination by the Road Research Laboratory and my Department. As soon as these investigations are concluded, I will see what can be done.
§ Mr. P. Wellsasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the removal of the only pedestrian crossing on the A 2 road at Newington, near Sittingbourne, constitutes a danger to schoolchildren and others; and if he will, in the interests of road safety, have it restored immediately.
§ Mr. MaclayI do not think that conditions here, with a heavy traffic flow and relatively few pedestrians wishing to cross the trunk road, justify a crossing. If an adult patrol is organised to see school-children across the road to and from school, I would consider authorising a "Stop—Children Crossing" sign.
§ Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport if he will cause his public relations officer to publicise how pedestrians and motorists should use the new zebra crossings since many pedestrians are under the impression that they have to stand on the crossings in order to let motorists know that they desire to cross.
§ Mr. MaclayThis was dealt with in a recent broadcast but I will certainly consider the issue of further guidance. I am advised that pedestrians do not obtain precedence on a crossing until they actually step on to it but the most important thing to remember is that both pedestrians and drivers should behave reasonably and carefully.