Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will investigate the reasons for the failure to determine Dudley College's application for a new crossing in line with published timescales.

The design, installation and maintenance of pedestrian crossings are matters for local highway authorities, in this case Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council. They have powers to establish pedestrian crossings on their roads, under section 23 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Pedestrian crossings do not require planning permission but the local authority need to work with those requesting such a crossing to ensure an appropriate way forward is found.

Local authorities are free to make their own decisions about the design of the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. It would be inappropriate for the Government to seek to intervene in the process of local democratic accountability.

I understand that an Inspector has been appointed to visit the site in the week commencing 26th January. The Inspector’s decision will follow soon after that time. In the circumstances it would be inappropriate for Ministers to discuss any aspect of this case with representatives of Dudley College as to do so could prejudice the position of the Inspector appointed to determine the case on his behalf.