§ 49. Mr. J. Hyndasked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider recommending the use of reflector studs on road sides as an aid to motorists in fog.
Mr. BraithwaiteNo, Sir. I consider that in general it is unnecessary to mark the sides of the road as well as the traffic lanes by reflectors; and of the two methods I prefer the normal use of reflectors to define the traffic lanes.
§ Mr. HyndIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the reflector studs are the only things visible in thick fog, and that under present arrangements motorists on both sides of the road hug the top of the road in order to see the studs? Will he not seriously consider having some reflector studs on the sides of the roads in the worst parts?
Mr. BraithwaiteYes, Sir, but the difficulty about studs in the verges and gutters is that they collect mud and are very difficult to keep clean, whereas studs in the centre of the road are generally kept clean by the traffic.
Mr. J. T. PriceHas the hon. Gentleman taken any action to dissuade county councils and other authorities from removing the studs now on the roads? Is he aware that they are being removed to a great extent, much to the regret of the motoring public?
§ Mr. ManuelThen they must have a lot in their heads.