§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has yet received a report assessing, in the light of experience, the suitability for blind persons of the surface area of the pavement at the pedestrian crossing in Abingdon street near Parliament square; if he will institute consultations on the suitability of this surface and publish the outcome in the Official Report; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAssessment of the textured surface at the pedestrian crossing in Abingdon street and at other sites around the country has now been completed. The trials have demonstrated that the surface is helpful in assisting visually handicapped people to locate and use pedestrian crossings at which the kerb has been ramped for the benefit of people in wheelchairs. A report on the trials is being prepared and a copy will be placed in the Library when it is published.
Following consultation with local authority associations the Department will be issuing advice to highway authorities on the purpose, design and layout of the surface.