§ 13 and 14. Mr. Kitsonasked the Minister of Transport (1) what improvement there has been in the accident figures on roads operating as clearways;
(2) whether he will now consider designating further stretches of main roads as clearways.
§ Mr. MarplesDuring the first six months of the scheme the number of personal injury accidents on the first set 1319 of roads designated as clearways was 133, compared with 145 in the corresponding six months before the scheme came into effect. I hope to designate further stretches of main roads as clearways this summer. The detailed arrangements are at present under consideration.
§ Mr. KitsonIs my right hon. Friend not aware that four people were killed and nine seriously injured in the last eleven months on roads in the North Riding because of stationary vehicles? Cannot we speed up the process for designating clearways?
§ Mr. MarplesAs I have said, we are reviewing them all. The Yorkshire lengths of the A.1 are being considered for clearways. About 26 miles are being considered at the moment.
§ Mr. Dudley WilliamsIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the penalties for people who stop on these clearways are adequate?
§ Mr. MarplesI think the penalties are adequate but sometimes it is a little difficult to enforce the provisions, especially at holiday times, because of the large number of vehicles on the road and the small number of police available to look after them.