§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) children and (b) adults have been killed or injured in road accidents since the new licensing laws were introduced and for the previous comparable period.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe requested information is given in the following table. Results for 1989 are provisional. The change in the licensing laws took place on 22 August 1988, so that results for the third quarter of 1988 include approximately equal periods under the old and new regulations.
For the three quarters following the change in licensing laws, the number of children killed was 11 per cent. lower than in the previous comparable period, the number seriously injured about the same, but overall casualties rose by 3 per cent.
For adults the corresponding changes are a 3 per cent. rise in fatalities, a 5 per cent. fall in serious injuries and a 2 per cent. rise in all casualties.
Quarterly results for road casualties are often erratic. There is nothing in the results to suggest that the change in licensing laws has had any marked effect on road accidents.
§ Mr. AtkinsIt is too soon to be able to give detailed information about the timing and nature of the proposals for the improvement of the A27 between Lewes and Polegate. Consultants will be appointed shortly to undertake preliminary studies and to identify possible solutions on which to consult the public, possibly in 1991–92. Their brief will be to consider all feasible alternatives, including a combination of on-line and off-line options, and to address the problems of the Beddingham level crossing.
503WIt is our intention to proceed in advance with the provision of a roundabout at the A26 junction. It is programmed for construction next year.