Madam Speaker, with regard to the region of Vale, I am informed that several traffic and road safety calming measures have been implemented along

40 the Vale B12 road in response to reported recurring issues of vehicle over speeding and fatal road accidents along that particular road. These measures include the installation of a speed camera system and the construction of a raised pedestrian speed table. To address on-street parking that obstructs traffic flow, thus causing a road safety issue and also hindering pedestrian movement, single and double yellow lines have been painted at various locations. Additionally, due to limited visibility of vehicles exiting Petit Raffray Road into Vale B12 road, the installation of a traffic light system has been proposed at this junction to ensure safer and more efficient turning movements. Furthermore, with a view to enhancing road safety along Sottise B170 road, particularly for school children attending Vale Government School and the surrounding community, proposed measures include the installation of 40 km/h speed zones, together with the construction of raised speed tables. Madam Speaker, as regards the region of Cap Malheureux, double yellow lines have been implemented along Chemin Vingt Pieds, Mont Choisy, Cap Malheureux B13 road and several lateral roads to prevent on-street parking, to improve safety at road junctions and to facilitate safer movement of pedestrians. Furthemore, based on road crash and fatal accident data obtained from the Internet Microcomputer Accident Analysis Package (iMAAP) software, the installation of raised speed tables has been proposed near key locations, including Quincaillerie Pavillon, Arya Samaj Mandir and near Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Government School at Cap Malheureux. These measures, Madam Speaker, aim to reduce vehicular speeding and to ensure overall safety in these regions. Surveys will be conducted at specific locations to assess for additional traffic calming measures such as pedestrian crossings, speed breakers and designated speed zones to address requests and complaints received from the authorities and the inhabitants. Madam Speaker, concerning the village of Grand Gaube, we have identified a black spot along Grand Gaube coastal road B14 and same will be treated by means of the construction of a roundabout. I have to mention to the hon. Member, that this particular black spot forms part of the eight black spots in the list of 46 which I intend to visit next week during the road safety week. So, I look forward to meeting you there. Moreso, surveys will be conducted at specific locations to assess the need for painting of single and double yellow lines and traffic calming measures such as pedestrian crossings,

41 speed breakers and designated speed zones to address requests and complaints received from authorities and their inhabitants. Madam Speaker, I am also informed that the TMRSU will carry out a comprehensive road safety inspection along all classified roads at Cap Malheureux and Grand Gaube with a view to assessing the existing road infrastructure, identifying safety deficiencies and recommending appropriate engineering measures for implementation. These will include improved traffic signage, safer pedestrian crossings, enhanced road markings, installation of guardrails and handrails and traffic calming measures where pedestrian traffic is high; for instance, near schools and places of worship. As regards existing road markings and signage which have become faint or invisible or damaged, I have had discussions with my colleague, the Minister of Local Government, Mr Woochit and a request has been made for his Ministry to work together with the TMRSU due to lack of painters thereat at the moment. The time for the unit to recruit painters as same was not done over the last ten years. Madam Speaker, the ultimate goal of these road safety inspections and subsequent interventions will be to improve the star ratings of the classified roads, thereby reducing the risk and severity of road crashes. The TMRSU will include all these measures in its work programme which will be implemented in its framework agreement contract 2025-2027. Thank you.

Yes, supplementary?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the hon. Minister confirm whether police will be deployed in these areas to deter speeding; especially near schools and residential zones?

The police are under the Prime Minister’s Office…

Exactly!

…but what I can do is ask the Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit to write a letter requesting for same.

Yes, okay. The hon. First Member for Piton and Rivière du Rempart!

42 PITON - L’AMITIÉ – FATAL ROAD ACCIDENTS – PREVENTIVE MEASURES