HC Deb 06 June 1956 vol 553 cc1051-2
1. Mr. Moss

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps are being taken to make safer the stretch of Watling Street from entering Grendon to beyond Dordon in the County of Warwick.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Hugh Molson)

No immediate steps are contemplated. A widening of the carriageway would make conditions safer but I cannot yet say when it will be possible to fit the widening of this particular length of road into the general road programme.

Mr. Moss

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the chief constable of Warwickshire has said that 203 accidents have taken place in a period of three years, and that immediate steps ought to be taken to make this road safer?

Mr. Molson

We believe that the only satisfactory way of dealing with this problem will be to widen the road. We intend to do that but there are, even on this same trunk road, stretches where the work is even more urgent than it is here.

2. Mr. Moss

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the number of accidents which have taken place along Watling Street from entering Grendon to beyond Dordon in the County of Warwick, giving figures for a recent convenient period, and showing accidents which were fatal and non-fatal.

Mr. Molson

During the year ended 30th April, 1956, sixty-three accidents were reported by the police on this stretch of road. Of these, four were fatal, twenty-one resulted in non-fatal injuries and thirty-eight resulted in damage to property only.

Mr. Moss

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have been profoundly moved by the cruel accidents which have taken place along this murderous stretch of road, which is regarded as a black spot in Warwickshire, and that short-term and long-term plans ought to be made to improve it?

Mr. Molson

I am very doubtful whether any short-term plans would be effective for this purpose. The road is quite straight, and I think it is only by widening it that we shall obtain any substantial improvement. We are anxious to do that as soon as it is possible to do so.

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