§ Mr. Callaghanasked the Minister of Transport if he will state the total number of road accidents, including those which did not involve physical injury, which took place between the foot of 151W Rumney Hill, Cardiff and St. Mellons, during each of the last five years; if he is aware of the need to make this road safer for use by both pedestrians and drivers; and what steps he is taking to that end.
§ Mr. MarplesThe number of accidents reported to the police was as follows:
— Damage only Personal injury Total 1957 … 26 30 56 1958 … 42 35 77 1959 … 61 40 101 1960 … 63 42 105 1961 … 55 34 89 The responsibility for improving this road rests with the highway authority, the Cardiff County Borough Council. It proposes to construct a dual carriageway on the section between Wentloog Road and Mount Pleasant towards which I am prepared to make a grant in the coming financial year. Proposals for other improvement schemes will be considered as funds permit.
Offset double white lines were laid on Rumney Hill early last year, with one descending and two ascending lanes. A similar arrangement of double white lines has lately been marked experimentally on a quartermile length of St. Mellons Hill, at the extreme easterly end of the stretch of road to which the hon. Member refers. Both of these have resulted in a substantial improvement in traffic flow.
I have suggested to the Cardiff City Council that there should be a uniform speed limit of 40 m.p.h. from Claremont Avenue in Cardiff, to Fowler's Garage on the north eastern side of St. Mellons. At present this length is subject partly to a 30 m.p.h. limit and partly to no limit.
I have also authorised grant for the provision of traffic light signals at New Road junction.