HC Deb 22 January 1958 vol 580 cc1033-4
22. Mr. Sharples

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement on the operation of the double white line experiment.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. G. R. H. Nugent)

Following my right hon. Friend's recent announcement of the decision to adopt for general use the system evolved in this experiment, we are now working on the problem of extending the markings as quickly as practicable through the country. We hope to arrange for a considerable extension of this marking to be laid down in the near future.

Mr. Sharples

Can my hon. Friend give any indication of the contribution that this scheme made to road safety during the Christmas holiday period, and, further, any idea of the order of priority under which this extension will take place?

Mr. Nugent

I would not like to give figures, although I have them, of what improvement has taken place on the two roads where this experiment has been in operation, but the initial implication is that it has improved road safety by preventing dangerous overtaking. I can give my hon. Friend no precise indication of the priority for laying down the white lines, but we hope to see a good deal done this year.

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