§ Mr. Howeasked the Minister of Transport (1) what estimate he has made of the number of public service vehicles currently using Fleetcroft Road, Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, between the hours of 7.30 and 9 a.m. and 5.30 and 6.30 p.m. daily;
(2) when he expects the road works currently proceeding between the mouth of Poole Lane and the Arrowe Park roundabout in Arrowe Park Road, Birkenhead, to be completed; and whether he will take steps to secure the more expeditious completion of such works and so secure the opening of Arrowe Park Road for one-way working before the completion of such works;
(3) what assessment he has made of the traffic hazards created for households living near to Fleetcroft Road, Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, while traffic between Moreton and Birkenhead is diverted along the road; whether he will take steps to secure the diversion of such traffic, alternatively of that part of such traffic which is proceeding towards Birkenhead, along Poole Lane, Meadow Crescent and Church Lane; and whether he will impose and publicise a lower speed limit and secure the appointment of additional school crossing attendants on Fleetcroft Road and on other roads along which Moreton-Birkenhead traffic is diverted throughout the duration of such diversions.
§ Mr. Tom FraserI understand that the maximum number of buses using Fleet-150W croft Road during each of these periods is about twenty in each direction.
The progress of the works in Arrowe Park Road is the responsibility of Birkenhead Corporation. I understand that the diversion is expected to end in October, and that the works are expected to be substantially completed by November. I also understand that the corporation, having carefully considered the possible alternatives, are satisfied that the existing temporary arrangements are the best that can be devised. School crossing patrols are the responsibility of the Corporation; so, in the first instance, is the question of speed limits in Fleetcroft Road.