On numerous occasions, the Minister of Transport has referred to the dreadful carnage on our roads. Indeed, the record of road accidents is so appalling that everyone would agreed that every effort should be made to remedy this situation. In particular, everything possible should be done to ensure that the roads are made as safe as possible for children who have to cross them.

It is in the light of these observations that I desire to draw special attention to the need for such precautions in my constituency. I refer, in particular, to two places, one in Stoke Newington and one in the Borough of Hackney. I deal first with a trouble spot in the Borough of Stoke Newington, in Lordship Road, between the junctions of Fairholt Road and Queen Elizabeth's Walk.

Representations were made to the authorities as long ago as 1957 for the appointment of a school crossing patrol at the junction of Lordship Road and Fairholt Road. It was considered that school children going to and from schools in the neighbourhood were exposed to danger from fast traffic. Nothing happened despite these representations. A further application was made in May, 1959. That too was refused. Since the new blocks of flats have been completed in the vicinity the number of children negotiating the crossing has considerably increased. A further application was made, and that was refused. In December, 1963, a petition was signed by a considerable number of people asking for a school crossing patrol. That was refused.

I want to quote from a letter sent to me by a local borough councillor setting out the position. In a letter dated 10th March, 1964, he states: I am not quite sure as to the official statistics in regard to Lordship Road accidents; indeed, I am not a great believer in accident statistics as these only cover reported accidents and do not include accident potentials or unreported accidents when drivers of two 'clashing' vehicles exchange details without notifying the Police. As I live and work near the trouble spot (which is in Lordship Road between the junctions of Fairholt Road and Queen Elizabeth's Walk) I very frequently see accidents happening—some of them are minor but could have been rather serious. Lordship Road has developed into a main road, carrying heavy traffic to and from Seven Sisters Road and Church Street—Stoke Newington High Street. Indeed, it is a popular short cut for people travelling from the West End to the East End of London. Within a radius of a mile of this black spot there are about six schools and there are hundreds of children using the crossing twice daily. He then sets out details of the schools.

The letter continues: On this stretch of Lordship Road there is usually double parking, with the result that children have to cross between parking cars which is most hazardous to them as well as to fast driving flow of the two-way traffic. My correspondent goes on to say that a local petition with 300 to 400 signatures has been collected, but, apparently, nothing has been done.

He suggests that three things should be done, and I desire to put them before the Minister. First, a traffic patrol should be stationed there in order to help school children and old people to cross the roads. Secondly, "yellow-back notices" should be set up warning drivers of the dangers ahead. Thirdly, "No parking" notices should be installed in Lordship Road along the 50 to 60 yards between Fairholt Road and Queen Elizabeth's Walk. Having regard to these representations and to the fact that nothing has been done, I suggest that this is a case which should be looked at very seriously and that something should be done to remedy the position.

The only other quotation which I wish to make is from a letter from one of the residents in the area, who says: This road is a death-trap to one and all. I now wish to refer to what I call a danger zone in the Borough of Hackney situated at the junction of Clapton Common and Portland Avenue. When pedestrian crossings were established in 1935, there was a pedestrian crossing to the north of this junction. In 1951, the council was instructed to do away with two-thirds of the existing crossings. At that time conditions at Clapton Common were different from what they are now. Blocks of flats have since been erected. This crossing has, of course, disappeared, and by 1957 the position regarding pedestrians at this stretch of road was causing concern. The number of people living in the immediate vicinity was considerably increased by the erection of a multi-storey block of flats on the perimeter of Clapton Common, which brought an additional 1,700 to the area.

In July, 1957, the Minister was asked to provide a pedestrian crossing at this junction. That application was refused. Repeated applications were made, but they, too, were refused. Indeed, some years ago I led a deputation to the Ministry and stressed the importance of this matter. In April, 1961, a request was made by the Education Committee of the New Synagogue, which is in that vicinity, for help for children who attended classes there and who had to cross the road at this dangerous junction. Application was made again in 1961, and in May, 1963, and, as I said, I personally made repeated applications.

On 29th July, 1963, I received a letter which I forwarded to the Minister. The letter said: Here, there is a dire need of accident prevention. About 100 children cross this road daily to go to religion classes in Egerton Road. No protection is offered these children whatsoever. No pedestrian crossing, no sign in the least to offer any safety in crossing, or, at the least, of any importance to indicate it.For many adults crossing the road here, and I make no exaggeration, reach the other side purely by the grace of God. There is very little consideration from the motorist. God help the pedestrian who tries pot luck.In the 3½ years I have lived in Portland Avenue, I have personally witnessed the scene of accidents.

1. (1) A car mounted the pavement (the corner of Portland Avenue) and crashed the railings of the Summit Estate, leaving the grass land saturated with oil.
2. (2) On another occasion a car mounted the pavement crashed the steel barrier right on the corner of Clapton Common.
3. (3) Another occasion a car mounted the pavement crashing the steel barrier, the side of Clapton Common, ending up against a tree.
4. (4) At the same time, a car came speeding round the bend from Stamford Hill into a skid and careered right into another car speeding in the opposite direction. What chance does a pedestrian stand in a situation like this?

It does seem to me the Ministry of Transport awaits a time when some poor unfortunate is offered up as a sacrificial lamb. Then perhaps some measure will be taken. Why wait till then?We are too often reminded, quite rightly, it is a criminal offence leaving a fire unguarded when there are children about. How less so, I'd like to ask Mr. Marples, is it a crime to leave a stretch of dangerous road unguarded when children wish to cross on their own? I received a reply from the Ministry of Transport setting out certain things and saying, in effect, that nothing would be done. 'That was in October, in reply to my letter of July, 1963. I had to wait all that time for a reply, and I wish to register my complaint about that delay. And the reply, when I received it, was thoroughly unsatisfactory.

The difficulties continued, so much so that, after receiving another letter on 4th February, 1964, I again took the matter up with the Ministry. That letter read: On the last occasion I made the attempt by letter to convince Mr. Marples of the absolute need for a pedestrian crossing here, I mentioned to the Minister if no accident preventative measure was taken a fatal accident was likely to occur. No accident preventative was taken and the fatal accident has occurred. My correspondent included a Press cutting giving details of a man who had been killed at that junction and went on to say: The Private Parliamentary Secretary who replied to my letter diminished the importance of a safety crossing, One can judge the state of apathy that exists by some of his pretty unique replies. I wrote it was an absolute danger for a child to cross here. And he replied all the child would have to do would be to ask the help of an adult. But he did not quite say who would help the adult.Further to the P.P.S. who diminishes the importance or any safety measure here, my insurance agent informs me, in the past two years, two of clients met with fatal accidents at this accident prone spot. The amount of times cars have mounted the pavements on to the Common and by the Summit Estate should be brought to the attention of some responsible parson in the Ministry of Transport. It is a hazard for pedestrians to stray too long by the corner of the Common.I suggest that Mr. Marples asks the Hackney Borough Council how many times they repair and replace the steel bars that border the Common smashed by crashing vehicles. Do you know why these cars mount the pavements? To avoid pedestrians. At the junction of Portland Avenue and Clapton Common not a single safety measure can be seen—no sign for motorist and pedestrian alike. Must more lives be offered up because of the stupid negligence of some irresponsible person at the Ministry of Transport? Having received that letter on 4th February, I sent it on the next day to the Ministry. To date, I have not re- ceived a reply. I telephoned the Ministry to inquire and only when this matter was put down for debate on the Adjournment did I see a letter from the Ministry. It was dated 9th March and stated: The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to let you know that he has seen Mr. Weitzman's letter of 5th February enclosing a letter from Mrs. Shaer, about proposals for a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Portland Avenue and Clapton Common. We have asked our traffic engineers for a further report on this matter. As it will probably be necessary for them to consult the highway authority and the police, and to obtain an up-to-date accident record, it may be some time before the report is available. But Mr. Galbraith will write to Mr. Weitzman as soon as he can. As well as the letter which I sent to the Ministry, I also sent a number of Press cuttings.

I speak strongly on this subject and I welcome the opportunity to speak on these constituency matters, particularly since I have for years been pressing the Minister to do something about them. If he is sincere in his desire to reduce the number of road accidents and to protect children at danger spots such as those I have mentioned, surely something can be done. Is it necessary to wait weeks or months to receive reports and only then receive a reply, which in turn is unsatisfactory?

I hope that the Minister will treat these matters as extremely urgent and, after this long lapse of time, do something constructive. It is no idle matter when the lives of people are at stake.