HC Deb 01 December 1992 vol 215 cc93-4W
Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of traffic calming measures on the level of traffic on nearby roads.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Traffic calming measures can have the effect of displacing traffic onto nearby roads. We have advised highway authorities that traffic calming schemes need to be developed within an overall strategy for the roads in their areas.

The Department, through the Transport Research Laboratory, has studied some 60 traffic calming schemes introduced by local authorities. A preliminary assessment indicates that there has not been an increase in accidents on the surrounding road network.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review his Department's guidelines for local highways authorities on traffic calming measures.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Advice and guidance on traffic calming is kept under review and brought up to date in the light of experience, changes in the law and the results of research.

My Department is currently working on traffic calming regulations, under provisions of the Traffic Calming Act 1992. We aim to undertake a public consultation soon and lay regulations before the House in the new year.