HC Deb 20 January 1965 vol 705 cc185-7
23. Mr. Ian Gilmour

asked the Minister of Transport what is his policy with regard to the building of roundabouts at busy intersections.

Mr. Swingler

Roundabouts are provided at busy intersections where the cost of a flyover or underpass is not justified by the volume of traffic. They are also incorporated in grade-separated junctions where turning movements are particularly heavy. Where grade separation is not immediately justified, but may be needed later, roundabouts are so designed that they can be converted without wasteful expenditure.

Mr. Gilmour

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that roundabouts at busy intersections are becoming increasingly old-fashioned and are dangerous and delaying? Will not he discourage them in favour of underpasses and flyovers?

Mr. Swingler

I do not accept all the implications or assertions in the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. We recognise that underpasses and flyovers are much more desirable. The difficulty is that they are far more expensive—[HON. MEMBERS: "How much?"]—four or five to one in the majority of cases. At the moment, therefore, we cannot afford them. We hope that in future years we shall be able increasingly to have them.

The Earl of Dalkeith

Does the hon. Gentleman have any new proposals to indicate who has the right of way at a roundabout and so avoid confusion?

Mr. Swingler

That was answered on an earlier Question when I indicated that the new "Give Way" signs are being used experimentally to enable us to draw conclusions about the establishment of a rule for priority at roundabouts.

Mr. Wingfield Digby

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in America they stopped building roundabouts several years ago? Is he aware that a lot of people think that a great deal of money is being wasted on them at the present time?

Mr. Swingler

I am not at all sure that is the fact. I am informed that in many other countries they have roundabouts for the same reason that we have them, because they are much cheaper. Roundabouts are still being constructed.