§ 24. Mr. Danceasked the Minister of Transport how many miles of anti-dazzle fencing have been provided on dual-carriageway roads in the United Kingdom; and how many miles are still in use.
§ Mr. MarplesAbout 6½ miles in England and Wales, including the 2 miles experimental length on M.1. All are in use.
§ Mr. DanceI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but will not he reconsider the question of putting this anti-dazzle barrier on M.1? Will not he listen to the users of this road who in the great majority believe that it is a safeguard? If it could be also embodied in some sort of crash barrier, so much the better.
§ Mr. MarplesMy hon. Friend has referred to what users say, but I am looking at the evidence of users scientifically with the help of the Road Research Laboratory rather than by hearsay. I do not think that I could do fairer than that. There are a number of lengths of dual carriageway road where a second carriageway has been provided behind the boundary hedge of the original carriageway. By allowing this hedge to remain, it forms an anti-dazzle screen without damaging amenities. I repeat that I am looking scientifically at the evidence of users.