HC Deb 07 March 1962 vol 655 cc78-80W
Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Works how many accidents involving motor vehicles have been reported since the speed limit in Richmond Park was raised to 30 miles per hour; and how many of them occurred after lighting-up time.

Lord John Hope

Twenty-one, in the seventeen months to the end of December, 1961, of which six occurred after lighting-up time.

Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Works how many deer were killed or injured by motor vehicles on the roads in Richmond Park in 1959, 1960, and 1961; and how many such incidents have occurred since the speed limit was raised to 30 miles per hour.

Lord John Hope

No figures are available for the period before 4th August, 1960, when the speed limit was raised. In the nineteen months since that date, forty-seven deer have been injured or killed.

Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Works how many cases of exceeding the speed limit in Richmond Park were the subject of Court proceedings in 1959, 1960, and 1961; and in how many cases were convictions recorded.

Lord John Hope

The figures are:

1959 1960 1961
Prosecutions 6 47 132
Convictions 6 45 130

In 1960 and 1961 the regulations have been very much more strictly enforced than previously.

Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Works what is the establishment of keepers in Richmond Park; how many are now in employment; and if he is satisfied that the number is sufficient to enforce the law so far as the speed limit for motor vehicles is concerned.

Lord John Hope

The establishment is thirty-one and there are twenty-five in post. The four men engaged on mobile patrols enforce the speed limit very effectively but I shall introduce another patrol if I can recruit the staff.

Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Works how many accidents involving motor cars, motor cycles, and motor scooters were reported as having occurred in Richmond Park during 1959, 1960 and 1961.

Lord John Hope

The figures are:

1959 1960 1961
Collisions between two or more moving vehicles 3 3 6
Collision with stationary vehicle nil nil 1
Accidents involving one vehicle (no pedestrian) 2 4 7
Accidents between vehicle and pedestrian nil 1 4
TOTALS 5 8 18

In only tour of the eighteen accidents reported in 1961 was speed or careless driving considered to be a contributory factor and three prosecutions resulted.

Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Works how many persons were killed or injured in incidents involving motor vehicles in Richmond Park in 1959, 1960, 1961; and what have been the figures since the speed limit was raised to 30 miles per hour.

Lord John Hope

There have been no fatalities.

The numbers of persons injured are as follows (the figures in brackets show the numbers of pedestrians included in the totals):

1959 1960 1961
6 (0) 9 (2) 20 (3)

During the seventeen months from 4th August, 1960, when the speed limit was raised, to the end of 1961, twenty-four people were injured, including four pedestrians.