§ Mr. GroundTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria he applies to the provision of pedestrian bridges over trunk roads in urban areas.
§ Mr. ChopeEach proposal for the provision of a footbridge or subway is considered on its merits. These include pedestrian and vehicle flows, accident record, availability of alternative crossing points, topography of the site, environmental and economic considerations, ages and mobility of pedestrians likely to use the facility and the possibility of anti-social behaviour. All these aspects are discussed in chapter 24 of HMSO publication prepared by the Institution of Highways and Transportation with the Department of Transport, entitled "Roads and Traffic in Urban Areas", a copy of which will be placed in the Library as soon as possible.
§ Mr. GroundTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors led to the selection of the wire fencing now separating the part of Cranford village south of the A4 from the part to the north; and who was responsible for the selection of this fencing.
§ Mr. ChopeThe fencing will help to prevent crossover accidents, cushioning the impact of vehicles which may collide with it; also it is high enough to deter pedestrians from vaulting over. The decision to install this type of fencing in this location was taken by the London regional office of the Department.
§ Mr. GroundTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria he applies to the provision of light-controlled crossings on trunk roads.
§ Mr. ChopeThe criteria are based on an assessment of road safety and the degree of conflict between pedestrians and vehicles at the proposed crossing place. Other local factors, for example, adjacent to homes for the elderly, school entrances, and so on are taken into account as matters of local judgment.
The criteria are published in departmental advice note TA52/87, "Design Considerations for Pelican and Zebra Crossings". A copy is in the Library.