Minister of Transport inaugurates mile of pedestrian barriers in East India dock road . A mile of pedestrian barriers erected along either side of the East India Dock Road , one of the busiest in the East End of London , was formally inaugurated as a new road safety experiment by Mr Leslie Hore Belisha , the Minister of Transport . The barriers are rails placed at the edge of the pavement , with gaps to enable pedestrians to cross at selected spots . The completion of the scheme was symbolized by the erection of the last two rails performed by Mr Hore Belisha , and the Mayor of Poplar Baths . Photo shows , Mr Hore Belisha screwing the last rail of the pedestrian barriers into position . 28 May 1936 *** Local Caption ***