HC Deb 11 December 1967 vol 756 cc45-6W
Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the greater powers proposed to be extended to local highway authorities as outlined in Command Paper No. 3481, she will now allow Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council to site a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Kenton Lane and Harewood Avenue.

Mr. Carmichael

Under existing criteria there are insufficient pedestrians here to justify a crossing. Moreover the proposed site is on a down gradient and traffic speeds would tend to make it dangerous. However, we hope that the plans now being proposed to give local authorities greater discretion in the siting of pedestrian crossings will be put into effect in the next month or so. If at that time the Newcastle-upon-Tyne County Borough Council wish to install a crossing at this site they will be free to do so provided it is within their quota and meets the revised criteria for pedestrian crossings.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Minister o Transport whether, in view of the greater powers proposed to be given to local highway authorities as outlined in Command Paper No. 3481, she will now allow Newburn Urban District Council to site a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Beaumont Terrace and Stamford-ham Road.

Mr. Carmichael

A further investigation was made earlier this year into conditions at the junction of Beaumont Terrace with Stamfordham Road, but even allowing for the relaxed criteria announced in January last, the vehicle and pedestrian counts did not justify the installation of a pedestrian crossing at this site. Since then no further application has been received from the Newburn Urban District Council and in the absence of any further evidence I can only confirm the view that a pedestrian crossing here would not be justified.

It is hoped that the plans now being prepared to give local authorities greater discretion in the siting of pedestrian crossings will be put into effect in the next month or so. If at that time the Newburn Urban District Council wish to install a crossing at this site they will be free to do so provided it is within their quota and meets the revised criteria for the establishment of pedestrian crossings.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the greater powers proposed to be extended to local highway authorities as outlined in Command Paper No. 3481, she will now allow Newcastle City Council to proceed with a system of linked light pedestrian-actuated crossings on West Road from the city boundary at Denton Square through the city.

Mr. Carmichael

The scheme referred to in this White Paper has not yet been introduced and it will in any case not preclude specific authorisation for traffic signals. An application should therefore be made by the Newcastle Borough Council.