HC Deb 26 January 1953 vol 510 cc652-3
9. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the increased risk of accidents resulting from aircraft taking off and landing in the immediate vicinity of main roads; and, in view of the continued increase in the volume of air and road traffic, what steps are being taken to speed up the installation on and near to busy airports of warning lights directed both to the pilots of aircraft and to the drivers of road vehicles.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air and I are well aware of this problem. Experiments with light signals to control road traffic have already been made at military and civil airfields and others are now being prepared. I am not yet satisfied, however, that this method of control is as safe as others, such as barriers and pickets, which are in use at present where they are considered necessary.

In general, the control of aircraft is most effectively exercised by radio, which is in constant use at airfield traffic control centres. In addition, airfields in use for flying at night are already provided with approach lighting. By day, lighting would be ineffective.

Mr. Beswick

Is the Minister not aware that this problem is not simply a matter of preventing an actual collision between an aircraft and a motor car, but that it arises principally because motorists tend to drive slowly or to stop altogether to watch aircraft? Will he see what can be done to keep traffic moving along these stretches of road?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am quite conscious of that.

Mr. Callaghan

Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted the Minister of Civil Aviation on this matter?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Yes, and I had an excellent report.