§ 28. Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Minister of Transport if, as a result of his review, he will now consider installing centre crash barriers along the length of the M1 motorway.
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Richard Marsh)I have agreed to central safety fences on M1 from the M10 junction for 1,500 yards to the north. I am reviewing present criteria and will consider any consequent application to M1.
§ Mr. SmithIs the Minister aware that if one is unlucky enough to have a burst tyre or to lose control of a vehicle it is just as likely to happen on a point of a motorway where there is not a crash barrier as where there is? Therefore, has not his policy on crash barriers been illogical? Would he not now consider putting a crash barrier the whole length of the motorway?
§ Mr. MarshIt is the first time that anyone has suggested putting crash barriers along the centres of all motorways. Even if this were thought desirable—but there is a lot of argument against it—the cost would be astronomical in relation to the road programme.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltWould not the Minister agree that one of the most dangerous things on this motorway is the light given by oncoming vehicles, especially in rail? Why has not he or his predecessors built a light barrier which could be done by hedges and very cheaply?
§ Mr. MarshWe are in process of building hedges in the centre stretches of many of our motorways where this is desirable. One comes back over and over again, however, to the fact that there is nothing dangerous about the M1 or the cars on it. The biggest danger comes from some of the drivers.