§ 42. Captain BRASSasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the grave risks run by all motor traffic travelling on the new concrete roads in wet weather; and whether, in view of this danger to the public, he 231 will consider the question of cancelling contracts for such roads and substituting therefor contracts for roads with a less slippery surface?
§ Mr. GOSLINGA slight degree of slipperiness in certain states of the weather is, I fear, part of the price we have to pay for the smooth, durable surface which modern traffic demands. I am not aware that concrete roads are peculiar in this respect, and I see no grounds for advocating the cancellation of contracts.
§ Captain BRASSWould the hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of putting down a surface in some way like that put down in the United States?
§ Captain Viscount EDNAMWould the hon. Gentleman consider inviting the contractors to use the very admirable method used on the Great North Road of rolling the surface when the tar is slightly wet with a corrugated roller?
§ Mr. GOSLINGI am advised that there is nothing particularly wrong. If hon. Members will give me specific cases I will deal with them.
§ Captain BRASSWill the hon. Gentleman come for a drive with me in my motor car on one of the roads, and I will illustrate what I mean?
§ Viscount CURZONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that recently a lorry conveying workmen went through the hedge on this Great North Road owing to the slippery condition of the road, and that a special notice had to be put up?
§ Mr. B. SMITHWould the hon. Gentleman consider enforcing a skid on one front wheel, as is now applied to the licensed vehicles in London?
§ Mr. SPEAKERHon. Members should give their experiences to the Minister in private.