§ 11. Lieut.-Commander Maydonasked the Minister of Transport how many road accidents have occurred in the last five years at Blackford Hollow between Wincanton and Sparkford in Somerset on the A.303; what have been the numbers of casualties, fatal and injured; and how many vehicles have been involved.
§ Mr. SwinglerDuring the five years ending 31st May, 1965, 25 accidents in the vicinity of Blackford Hollow were reported, involving 56 vehicles. Two persons were killed and 22 injured.
§ Lieut.-Commander MaydonWill the hon. Gentleman consider the construction of many more short lengths of dual carriageway on this and other seasonally heavily trafficked roads—as his predecessors did on the section of this road between London and Basingstoke—as this provision allows drivers of vehicles to overtake in safety without being prompted 439 to drive dangerously by impatience or frustration?
§ Mr. SwinglerWe recognise the need for action, and in fact the county surveyor is at the moment preparing an interim scheme to widen this road to 24 feet. This is something which we hope will be paid for under the minor improvement programme, and therefore can be done urgently. In the longer term, we recognise the need to provide dual carriageway roads.