§ 19. Sir F. Medlicottasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if his attention has been drawn to the investigations carried out by the Road Research Laboratory on roads before and after lighting had been provided, indicating a reduction in personal injury accidents at night of nearly 30 per cent.; and if he will consider arranging for the continuous lighting of motor ways and the possibility of such lighting being installed experimentally on the Preston By-Pass.
§ The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Harold Watkinson)I am having carefully studied the investigations carried out by the Road Research Laboratory on the accident rate at night, before and after the lighting of roads. These investigations related, however, to lighting in or near built-up areas on all-purpose roads carrying mixed traffic, including pedestrians and cyclists, and conditions on the motorways will be very different. I am not at present satisfied that continuous lighting on motorways is required, but the lighting requirements for motorways in this country are being studied jointly with the Road Research Laboratory, and experience on the Preston By-Pass, which initially will not be lighted, should provide useful data.
§ Sir F. MedlicottIs my right hon. Friend aware that motor cars may reach very great speeds on this new road, which would create quite unusual conditions even in an age of speed? Will he indicate that he will not hesitate to try this experiment which may well prove a means of saving life?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI agree with my hon. Friend, but I think that all hon. Members who are motorists would also agree that for a motorist to pass suddenly from a brilliantly lighted area into a dark road at a high speed is very dangerous. We must look carefully into this matter.
§ Mr. MoyleWill the Minister indicate what progress he has made in consultation with local authorities on this all-important question of uniform street lighting?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThat is a different question. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put it on the Order Paper, and I will endeavour to give him a complete answer.