Road Transport Activities
Page 53
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
IN PARLIAMENT
By Our Special Parliamentary Correspondent
SLOW PROGRESS WITH ROAD TRAFFIC .BILL.
SLOW progress has hitherto been macle in the Standing Committee now considering the Road Traffic Bill. This is largely due to the controversial element introduced in the proposal of the Government to impose a 30-m.p.h. speed limit in built-up areas. The manner of carrying out the limitation so that it might be plain to all motorists entering restricted areas has given rise to much discussion. The later parts of the Bill will, no doubt, be proceeded with more expeditiously.
Last week the Committee adopted an amendment authorizing the Minister of Transport to vary the speed limit by Order, subject to affirmative resolutions being passed by both Houses of Parliament. Much discussion took place on the definition of builtup areas. • MARKING OF LAMP-POSTS SAID TO BE UNSATISFACTORY.
MRS. TATE submitted a proposal that signs of a uniform pattern prescribed by the Minister should be erected for the guidance of motorists at the entrance to built-up areas. She regarded the marking of such entrances by four or five lamp-posts as unsatisfactory.
Mr. Stanley said he had indicated what he was prepared to do, after consultation with the local authorities and the motoring organizations. The type of amendment which he proposed to put down was mare on the lines of that of Sir Joseph_ Lamb, which was now on the paper. It provided that where a system of road lighting was deemed to indicate a built-up area, every lamp standard should be painted and maintained in a prescribed uni
form colour. During the hours of darkness, all such lamps should be kept efficiently lighted.
He 'would propose that the form of any amendment he moved would be to give him powers by regulations which would be submitted to the House to prescribe these signals. He still thought that, as a general rule, the painting of the lamp-posts was the best way. The amendment was rejected.
SERVICE ROADS FOR LOCAL TRAFFIC.
SIR j. LAMB then moved a proviso that the speed limit should not apply to the main carriageway of any portion of road alongside which a service road has been provided for the accommodation of local traffic. Colonel Moore-Brabazon thought that if the amendment were accepted, they
would know that when a new highway was built, it would be necessary to make a road for the through traffic and a side road for local traffic. That would free the main thoroughfare from what he regarded as the unjust proposal to impose a speed limit upon such new roads.
Mr. Stanley, whilst unable to accept the amendment, thought he would be able to go a considerable way towards meeting its object. When the Bill became law, he intended to suggest to local authorities that, if there were no special circumstances which altered the case, such roads prima facie should be excluded from the speed limit. Prima facie, he would regard the presence of a service road as a reason for derestricting the road alongside which it was situated. The amendment was by leave withdrawn.
Mr. H. Williams then moved an amendment giving effect to the view accepted generally by the Committee, at a previous sitting, to empower the Minister by Order to vary the speed limit or the times between which the limit is to be observed, subject to approval by both Houses of Parliament. The amendment was carried by $2 votes to 4.
An amendment was agreed to requiring the general public to have notice of any alteration as to whether a road should he included in or excluded from the schedule of roads affected by the speed limit.
EFFORT TO WIDEN SPEED-LIMIT PROVISIONS FAILS.
AT last Tuesday's sitting, Mr. Guy moved an amendment empowering the Minister to impose a speed limit on a length of road which had no lighting system and where the local authority had failed to direct that it should be deemed to be a built-up area. Mr. Stanley, in resisting the amendment, said he was entitled to look upon the local authorities as guardians of local speed.
He took overriding powers under the Bill to exclude areas from the speed limit, but with regard to the converse position, the local authorities must be primarily responsible and were entitled to be trusted. The amendment was defeated by 23 votes to 6. Several other minor amendments to the measure were disposed of and the Committee adjourned. OIL DUTY AND POWER ALCOHOL.
A4R. D. G. SOMERVILLE asked J. Lithe Chancellor of the Exchequer
whether, in view of the fact that alcohol distilled from foreign molasses, which was used as motor fuel in this country, was not only exempt from the petrol duty of 8d. per gallon, but received a subsidy from the Exchequer under the Revenue Act, 1906, of approximately aid. per gallon, making a total loss of revenue of is. 41d. a gallon, he would state why such fuel received preferential treatment, as compared with petrol. Wm he prepared to take steps to alter this state of affairs?
The Chancellor replied : "The comparatively negligible quantity of power alcohol used in this country as motor fuel is outside the scope of the duty on light hydro-carbon oils. because it is not a hydro-carbon oil. I cannot accept the statement that it receives a subsidy of approximately 8id. per gallon. I do not consider that any alteration is called for."
SELBY BRIDGE WORKS: ROAD FUND GRANT.
THE Minister of Transport states that he has agreed to make a grant from the Road Fund towards the preparation of surveys, and a report by a consulting engineer as to the most desirable route for a by-pass to include a new bridge over the River Ouse, near Selby. Until the surveys are completed and the report received, he cannot make any statement as to the possibility of an early start being made with construction work.
LORRY SPEEDING AND EXCESSIVE WORKING HOURS.
ATTENTION was called by Mr. Thorne to the case of a lorry driver fined by the Croydon magistrates for exceeding the speed limit. He asked : "Seeing that the defendant was compelled by the firm in question to work long hours and exceed the legal limit, as if he refused he would be dismissed, what steps is it proposed to take in the matter?"
Mr. Stanley said that the enforcement of the law relating to speed limits and hours of driving was primarily the duty of the police, but when the licensing system established by the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 19$3, had come into full operation, the licensing authorities would be able to take matters of this kind into consideration. Meanwhile, if he were supplied with the details of the case, he would have inquiries made.