Heads of the Valleys Road

HC Deb 01 March 1971 vol 812 cc1210-1

21. Mr. Probert

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the incidence of accidents to motorists on the Heads of the Valleys road.

Mr. Peter Thomas

Thirty-seven accidents involving death or injury occurred in 1967; 33 in 1968; and 40 in 1969. Complete figures for 1970 are not yet available.

Mr. Probert

Would not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that these figures cause some concern, and due to the topographical position of this road, and in view of the reassuring answer which he gave to his hon. Friend the Member for Barry (Mr. Gower) a moment ago, will he consider that this road, as a matter of priority, should be changed to a four-lane road?

Mr. Peter Thomas

The question of converting the road to dual carriageway standards is under constant review. I think it only right that I should say that the injury accident rate of 0.47 per one million vehicle miles on this road is lower than the national average on three lane roads—or on any other type of road, including motorways—which have suffered an accident rate per one million vehicle miles of 0.6.