Frost Damage (Hansard, 4 February 1959)

§ 21. Mr. E. Johnson
asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what reports he has received of damage by frost to any trunk or by pass roads completed during 1958, other than the Preston by-pass; and if he will state the date on which such roads were completed.

§ Mr. Watkinson
None, Sir, up to the present moment.

§ Mr. Johnson
Does my right hon. Friend think that the date of completion of a road or the weight of heavy traffic carried has any bearing on the likelihood of damage to the road by frost?

§ Mr. Watkinson
I think that is quite possible. My Answer was given as it was because, as I think my hon. Friend will know, most roads in that part of the world are still heavily frost-bound and it is difficult to give an answer.

§ Mr. Ernest Davies
In view of the public concern over methods of road construction following the closing of Preston by-pass, particularly after the hullabaloo which surrounded its opening, will the Minister reconsider his decision of last week not to appoint an independent committee of inquiry? Does not he realise that as Lancashire County Council and his Ministry are interested parties in this matter, it is desirable that there should be an independent inquiry into present methods of road construction?

§ Mr. Watkinson
I am sure the hon. Member will be glad to know that in the interests of the road programme the detailed investigation carried out in respect of the road showed that there was no failure in design or construction. Therefore, his supplementary question is not relevant.

Mr. Gresham Cooke
Is not it common on the Continent—on the autobahn and in Holland and other places—for new roads from time to time to be damaged by frost?

§ Mr. Chetwynd
They are not opened by the Prime Minister.

§ Mr. Watkinson
What my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Gresham Cooke) has said is perfectly true. On the whole, bearing in mind that Lancashire County Council is certainly not controlled by my party—.[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—and I fully support the actions it took in pressing this road scheme forward, it would be better to keep a reasonable sense of proportion.

§ Mr. Strauss
Is the Minister aware that those responsible for the construction of the London-Birmingham Motorway claim that their method of construction precludes the possibility of any damage by frost? If so, why was not a similar method of construction used for the Preston By-pass? In the absence of an independent inquiry into this and all surrounding matters, not a single person in the country will believe the statement of the Minister that no one is to blame.

§ Mr. Watkinson
I think that is the personal opinion of the right hon. Member. As to the London-Birmingham road, it is Quite natural that in an early stage of a big road programme various methods of construction should be used. At least four or five different methods are being used at the moment all over the country. It is right that they should be as that is the only way in which we can adapt our construction to differing conditions of soil and climate.

§ Mr. Johnson
If it is correct that the new Birmingham-London Motorway will be clear of frost damage, is not it extremely satisfactory that we shall have constructed probably the only road in the world which is not subject to frost damage?

§ Mr. Watkinson
These matters are very technical and difficult to discuss by way of question and answer. All I say is that I entirely support those who have the courage to go forward with the road programme. Motor cars do not stop being made because it starts raining.