§ 3. Mr. Kitsonasked the Minister of Transport how many accidents took place on roundabouts on the A.1 in 1962, 1963, 1964; and what improvements he intends to make.
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Tom Fraser)118, 123 and 149 personal injury accidents. Of the 47 roundabouts existing in 1962, three have since been eliminated. The Durham Motorway will bypass eight more. Schemes for the elimination or improvement of another 11 are in progress or due to start within the next five years. Further schemes as necessary will be included in future extensions of my roads programme.
§ Mr. KitsonIn thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether he would not agree that a great many of these accidents happen when visibility is bad and there is fog? Is it not worth while considering painting on the road warning of the fact that there is a roundabout ahead? Might not this cut down the number of accidents? In addition, will the Minister consider reducing the use of kerbstones at roundabouts which are such hard things to hit?
§ Mr. FraserI shall be happy to take into account and to consider the suggestions made by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyAre not the cuts announced yesterday an ideal opportunity for reviewing the use of roundabouts, which are wasteful of land and were abandoned in America many years ago?
§ Mr. FraserIn many cases the alternative to a roundabout is grade separation, which, I believe, costs five times as much as a roundabout.