ROAD TRANSPORT MATTERS IN PARLIAMENT.
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The Conversions from Tramways to Bus Systems. One-way Traffic Control and the Incidence of Accidents. The Freeing of Tolls.
By Our Special Parliamentary Correspondent.
INFORMATION was sought by Mr. Forrest as to the number of towns that had changed or were changing over their service of tramways with metal lines either to a trackless trolley system or to a motor omnibus system. Mr. Forrest also asked the Minister of Transport whether, as many towns desired guidance, he would investigate the various systems, with a view to advising on their application, if requested to do so, in different areas. Colonel Ashley replied: "Complete information on the first point raised can only be obtained from the various tramway authorities. may, however, say that I am aware that powers have been obtained in about 26 cases by local authorities, and in one case by a company, to work trolley vehicles over the whole or part of an existing tramway system, and that these powers have been exercised to some extent in, at any rate, about 11 instances. I cannot say in how many cases omnibus powers have been obtained by local authorities with a view to substituting an omnibus service for a tramway service. With regard to the second point, 'while I should always be glad to give such assistance as I properly can, it must not be overlooked that the form of transport most suited to the needs of a particular area depends to a large extent upon the local conditions, of which the responsible operating authorities in the locality should usually, I think, be in the best position to judge."
Two-seaters and Taxicab Fares.
THE Home Secretary has again been interrogated regarding two-seater taxicabs and particularly the continuance of existing taxicab fares. He repeated what he had stated on September 28th, and remarked
c24 that he proposed to wait a little longer before -considering whether any further action on his part was called for.
Major Glyn wanted to know whether that meant that some time early in the new year there would be a revision of the existing wale of fares. Sir W. JoylisOnHicks said that that must not be assumed. He had given a new scale for two-seater cabs which they had hoped would have been on the streets before now, but, owing to the stoppage in industry, they had not yet been built, and until he had given those who had applied sufficient time to build he did not propose to make any other alteration in fares. One member perpetrated a mild witticism about putting one of the twoseater cabs in the Museum. Another member asked for an assurance that the Home Secretary had not given any pledge to the makers of two-seaters that the fares on other taxicabs would not be lowered. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks gave the assurance. No pledge of any kind, he said, had been given.
Summonses for Minor Offences.
CAPTAIN BRASS having called attention to recent remarks by the Marylehone magistrate with reference to summonses issued by the Metropolitan Police against motorists, asked the Home Secretary whether, In view of the expense and waste of police time involved in such prosecutions, he would give instructions that only those cases of a really serious nature should be dealt with. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks said that if the suggestion was that the police should not apply for summonses for offences such as driving cars on the. highways without the proper licence attached or without the lights required by law or legible identification marks, it was certainly not one which he could adopt. Experience showed that prosecutions for such offences were necessary to check evasions of revenue requirements and the use of motor vehicles in .a manner dangerous Co the public or for criminal purposes. Captain Brass put the case of a man who, having taken out a licence, had it in his pocket, but, through oversight, had not put it in place on the car, although be did so when the police asked him to do so. He asked whether it was a fit proposition that the man should be summoned. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks admitted that he did not know what he would have done himself. Perhaps this policeman was a more law-abiding subject than he himself was, but undoubtedly, in the case mentioned, an offence was committed and the policeman was not exceeding his duty in•issuing a summons in respect of it. Captain Brass observed that his question had not been answered.
Traffic Accidents in Glasgow.
THE Minister of Transport informed Mr. Buchanan, a Glasgow Socialist member, that he had been approached by a delegation representing the Corporation of Glasgow regarding the problem of motor traffic in that city, and the growth of omnibus traffic. As to i he number of accidents, he did not see in whn t manner he could take effective action pending the amendment of the existing laws relating to the licensing of public service vehicles, with which the forthcoming Bill would largely deal. Tlis induced Mr. Buchanan to request that the Bill should be introduced at once, so as to give local authorities an opportunity to study it, but colonel Ashley remarked that all the details of the Bill had not yet been, settled.
One-way Traffic in Relation to Accidents.
mBERE has been a good deal of curiosity on the part of members as to whether the one-way traffic system in Loudon has led to an increase of accidents. The official figures, which include accidents caused by horsedrawn vehicles, show that in the months of August, September. October and November, during which seven of the schemes introduced this year were in operation, there were two fatal and 107 non-fatal accidents, as compared with one fatal and 90 non-fatal accidents in the corresponding period of 1925. As the Home Secretary quite fairly points out, it is impossible to say whether any, or how many, accidents have been due Ira the one-way scheme. Whilst it cannot he claimed that pedestrians have greater security under the new system, it must be recognized that there are many factors which operate in the increase or decrease of accidents. The statistical achievements of Government departments, wonderful as they are, have their limitations.
Fast-moving Traffic in Haymarket.
rior,oNEL DAY made the suggestion that, in view o the danger to pedestrians crossing the Haymarket, which is a one-way thoroughfare with a taxicab rank in the centre of the highway, the right or off-side of the street should be restricted to fast-moving traftle only. Colonel Ashley said the restriction of the west side of Haymarket to fast-moving traffic was not practicable under existing conditions. Even if practicable, he was satisfied that the risks to pedestrians crossing the street would` be increased rather than diminished.
Demand for Freeing of Tolls.
A. NTTAIBER of members is still hamm.ering at the subject of freeing tolls. Asked if he had any statement to make regarding toll bridges, the Minister of Transport referred to the circular issued to local authorities in December, 1925, calling attention to the provisions of the Roads Improvement Act, 1925. relating to the freeing of toll roads and bridges. in many districts the matter was engaging the close attention of the local authorities, with whom the initiative must rest and who were in consultation with officers of the
Department. In a few cases the proposals for freeing existing bridges were now assuming a definite shape and in other instances the erection of new toll-free bridges was in contemplation.
The Minister was reminded of the great expense incurred by people living in the neighbourhood of tolls who had to go backwards and forwards. Colonel Ashley said he appreciated the point. He was doing all he could, but the initiative rested with the local authority. It was then suggested that the Minister should consider taking a general step under the authority of his own Department, but Colonel Ashley remarked that that raised very large financial considerations which it was not for him to decide. A Labour member desired the Minister to lay down some basis of compensation which would ensure that the public were not fleeced by compensation being based on exorbitant toll charges.
A Committee on Toll Bridges Suggested.
MR. PENNY suggested that the Minister should consult with local authorities on the question of
taking over privately owned toll bridges. Colonel Ashley observed that officers of the Department were in frequent consultation with locaI authorities who contemplated the freeing of toll bridges and he was pmPared to consider any applications formulated by responsible bodies for assistance from the Road Fund for the purpose of eliminating tolls.
Mr. Penny suggested that in view of the very unsatisfactory position of toll gates throughout the country, a committee should be set up to consider the whole Position, so that something might be done. Colonel Ashley said he could see no useful purpose in setting up a committee. The people responsible for putting up proposals were the local authorities, and he would give sympathetic consideration to any concrete proposals.
Level Crossings.
SIR F. MEYER wanted to know the occasions in each of the last five years upon which the Board of Trade or the Minister of Transport had exercised their powers under Section 7 of the Railway Clauses Act, 1863, to require a railway company to erect a bridge instead of a level crossing.
Colonel Ashley stated that during the past five years no railway company had been formally required, under the provisions referred to, to erect a bridge instead of a level crossing. On a few important main roads the allocation of grants from the Road Fund had rendered it possible for local authorities to face the expense of erecting bridges over level crossings. In other cases, as on the London-Tilbury road at Ptirfieet, and at Colnbrook, on the Bath Road, the construction of new bypass roads had been undertaken to afford alternative and shorter routes, free from level crossings.
Condition of Sutton By-pass Road.
T"state of the surface of the new Sutton by-pass road has been brought to the notice of the Minister of Transport, who states that the matter is receiving the attention of the Surrey County Council, which is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the road.
"Thief-proof Parking Places."
A CURIOUS request by Colonel Day is that the LI_ Ministry of Transport should take action, with a view to the provision of " thief-proof parking places." Colonel Ashley professed some doubt as to what was meant. His only powers were to make regulations permitting, in certain circumstances, the parking of vehicles in certain public streets, and vehicles and their contents were left in the parking places entirely at the owners' risk. If Colonel Day contemplates the possibility of setting a police watch over every parking place, it is most unlikely that the Home Secretary\ would encourage such an addition to the already great demands upon the police for traffic regulation.