§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what evaluation he has made of the accident rates in Colchester High Street in each of the last 10 years. [45547]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonRecords of personal injury accidents are kept by Essex County Council and their agents Colchester Borough Council as highway authorities for local roads in Colchester. Evaluation of these accidents is for these authorities.
127WHowever, I am able to tell the hon. Member that the accidents in Colchester High Street since 1984 were as follows:
Colchester High Street—Accident Summary Before works Fatal Serious Slight Total 1 January 1984–31 December 1984 0 4 15 19 1 January 1985–31 December 1985 0 3 8 11 1 January 1986–31 December 1986 1 0 9 10 1 January 1987–31 December 1987 0 4 9 13 1 January 1988–31 December 1988 0 6 9 15 1 January 1989–31 December 1989 0 3 7 10 1 January 1990–31 December 1990 0 2 9 11 1 January 1991–31 December 1991 0 2 13 15 1 January 1992–31 December 1992 0 3 6 9 1 January 1993–31 December 1993 0 3 6 9 Total 1 27 91 119 Note:
Annual average = 11.9
Experimental works started in early February 1994 After works Fatal Serious Slight Total 24 April 1994–23 April 1995 0 0 7 7 24 April 1995–23 April 1996 0 1 4 5 24 April 1996–23 April 1997 0 1 6 7 24 April 1997–31 March 1998 0 3 3 6 Total 0 5 20 25 Note:
Annual average=6.38
Traffic calming and other measures in the High Street were commenced in February 1994. The annual accident rate since then has reduced by 46 per cent.