§ 21. Mr. Robert Mathewasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the increasing volume of motor traffic between the United Kingdom and the countries of Western Europe and the fact that the rule of the road varies, he will take steps to see that the possibility of an eventual change of the rule from left to right in this country is taken into account when planning traffic legislation and major road constructions, including, in particular, flyovers and cloverleafs, so as to reduce as far as possible both the cost and the difficulty of such change.
§ Mr. MarplesI think it is more important to concentrate on making our roads as safe as possible for traffic under the existing rule of the road. If, however, it were ever decided to change the rule from left to right neither our present traffic legislation nor the major road construction now being undertaken should give rise to any serious difficulty. Flyovers and cloverleafs are already designed symmetrically so far as site conditions permit.
§ Mr. MathewWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that Answer, may I ask whether there are not particular difficulties connected with the conversion from right to left or left to right of clover-leafs? Is that taken into consideration when these very expensive constructions are being planned?
§ Mr. MarplesYes. The constructions which are now being planned are quite symmetrical, and if it were decided to change the rule of the road, which would require an Act of Parliament, the new construction would be quite in keeping with that decision.