HC Deb 16 March 1960 vol 619 cc1285-6
22. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Minister of Transport the estimated extra cost per mile of reflecting kerbs compared with the ordinary type; and what approximate extra percentage this would add to the cost per mile of new road.

Mr. Marples

I have nothing to add add to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland gave to a similar Question yesterday.

Mr. Woodburn

Will the Minister personally look into this matter, because anything which will add to safety on the roads at such negligible cost should be adopted immediately? Several types of these reflecting kerbs are available and they cost practically nothing extra, while giving extra visibility in the worst conditions, thus being a great contribution to safety.

Mr. Marples

Not only the capital cost, but the effectiveness has to be considered. The value of a reflecting kerb is limited by the difficulty of keeping the surface clean.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is not a problem? Is he aware that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has tested this device and has shown that it keeps clean and is almost as effective for reflecting light as the studs?

Mr. Marples

The Road Research Laboratory is looking into the matter at the moment and I am awaiting its further report.

23. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the Reports of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, RN 1689/ PJFW GCW, 1952, and RN/2993/AWC Mar., 1957, reporting that the use of reflecting kerbs can be made visible at night up to 100 yards; and whether he will specify, as a measure of road safety, kerbs with a normal night visibility of a minimum of 80 yards for all new roads.

Mr. Marples

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland gave to a similar Question by the right hon. Member yesterday.

Mr. Woodburn

Will the right hon. Gentleman not, as he appears to have done, make up his mind before he has seen the Report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research? I understood that he was a very enterprising Minister and willing to hear all the evidence before making up his mind, but he has just given a decision before hearing all the evidence.

Mr. Marples

No, I did not. I did not say that my mind was made up. I said that not only capital cost, but maintenance and keeping the surface clean had to be considered. The Road Research Laboratory is now carrying out field trials, and no decision will be made until the results of those field trials are known.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Scotland these kerbs are working very effectively?

Mr. Marples

Some things work in Scotland which do not always work in England in the same way.