§ 43. Miss Quennellasked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that, "Danger—Road Works Ahead", signs are no longer propped against the hazard of which they are supposed to warn the motorist but are placed at a sufficient distance from the actual obstruction to give drivers a reasonable and practical warning.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe Department gives detailed guidance to highway authorities, statutory undertakers and contractors about signing road works. We quote minimum siting distance for advance warning signs to avoid this very difficulty.
§ Miss QuennellIs the Joint Parliamentary Secretary aware that this guidance does not seem to be followed very often, but that all too often motorists come on "Danger—Road Works Ahead" signs placed close to the danger of which they are supposed to give warning, and that very often signs are left 12 for months after the works, and cease to have any relevance at all?
§ Mr. CarmichaelI agree, in large measure, with what the hon. Lady says. Signing is frequently left to unqualified people by contractors. Highway authorities, contractors and statutory undertakers all have liability to ensure road safety, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the highway authorities.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerIf the Minister agrees that this is a serious situation and is badly handled at present, what is he going to do about it?
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe Department issues codes of instructions, detailed instructions on distances, for instance, for highway authorities, and we circularise them periodically, the last circular being at the end of August, reminding highway authorities of their obligations; but it is the highway authority's obligation to see that these temporary signposts are put up.