§ 9. Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present position with regard to research and development in connection with determining the best type of crash barrier for motorways; and by what date he anticipates a decision will be reached on this matter.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineCorrugated tensioned beam type crash barriers are used generally on motorways. Several other approved types are used for particular locations. All of these were selected following research by the Road Research Laboratory.
§ Mr. RedmondIs my hon. Friend aware of the fact that there are a number of people who consider that crash barriers are dangerous in that they bounce vehicles back into the carriageway? Has the Department considered the possibility of digging pits in the central area, in which case vehicles would go into them and not on to either carriageway?
§ Mr. HeseltineOn balance, I think that the advice of the Road Research Laboratory would be that it is better to bounce back than to sink in the mire.