HC Deb 10 June 1976 vol 912 c742W
Mr. Cordle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has given advice to local authorities or police forces with regard to safety measures to safeguard pedestrians in urban areas which are subjected to use by heavy goods vehicles and which are unsuitable for such use.

Mr. Marks

In Circular Roads 19/74, which dealt with the criteria for the installation of pedestrian crossings, local authorities were advised that where more than 15 per cent. of vehicles were goods vehicles of over 15 cwt. unladen, crossings might be justified even if the criteria regarding the number of pedestrians and the volume of traffic were not met.

Mr. Cordle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has assessed the increased danger to life of pedestrians occurring in those ports used as entry points for heavy foreign goods vehicles where the urban roads are unsuited to such traffic, such as Poole Harbour, where the number of such vehicles coming in is increasing.

Mr. Marks

It is the responsibility of the local authority to consider the impact of heavy goods traffic on its roads, and to use its statutory powers to impose any necessary control.