HC Deb 13 December 1948 vol 459 cc824-5
35. Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Transport if in view of the help given to motorists during the recent fog by cat's eye reflector studs, he will reconsider his decision to dispense with them in roads provided with street lighting.

38. Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now reconsider the decision not to replace road reflecting studs in built-up areas, in view of their proved value to drivers of public service vehicles and others during the recent fog.

Mr. Barnes

As reflecting studs are a valuable aid to night driving, I desire to encourage their use on all roads which carry a considerable volume of traffic and where it is the normal practice for drivers to use their headlamps at night, whether or not such roads are in a built-up area. I do not think that reflecting road studs should be provided solely to meet foggy conditions, as when fog is thick headlamps are valueless and, as a rule, fog lamps are aligned on the nearside kerb, which is a safer guide than the centre line of the carriageway.

Mr. Lipson

Will my right hon. Friend consult the motoring organisations as to whether these reflector studs were not a great help to motorists during the recent fog, and if he finds that their evidence confirms that general impression, will he reconsider his announcement?

Mr. Barnes

I am not quite clear what the hon. Gentleman wishes me to reconsider. My policy is definitely to encourage the use of reflector studs.

Mr. Lipson

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that in his reply he gave the impression that it is not proposed to replace them in built-up areas, and does he intend to persist in that policy, as the recent fog has shown that it is just as important to have them in built-up areas as elsewhere, to assist motorists to keep on their proper side of the road?

Mr. Barnes

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will read the reply a little more carefully tomorrow, and then, if he has any further points to put to me, I shall be pleased to consider them.

Mr. Eden

May we have this quite clear—that where these studs exist the Minister will not attempt to get them removed, and where they do not exist he will encourage their being put there?

Mr. Barnes

With the exception of well-lighted streets.

Mr. Sutcliffe

Will the Minister replace these studs in every street where they were previously, in view of the comparatively small cost and their great use; and can he say who will be the judge whether they shall be replaced or not?

Mr. Michael Astor

Following the Minister's original reply about fog, may I ask whether he will see that street lighting is increased when there is fog, quite apart from this?