HC Deb 10 March 1971 vol 813 c415
59. Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for the permanent signposting of diversionary routes to be followed by motorists when diverted from sections of the MI motorway in the event of closure of sections during and after accidents.

Mr. Peyton

Permanent signs might mislead drivers. The new motorway signals should reduce the need for closures, but signs are to be erected at each exit showing the route to the next junction.

Mr. Clarke

Will my right hon. Friend accept that considerable chaos can be caused in villages near a motorway when a section of the motorway is closed until police officers arrive to man junctions? Is it not possible for a permanent signpost to be erected to make clear the diversionary route to be followed in an emergency?

Mr. Peyton

I will give careful thought to what my lion. Friend has said, and I hope that, in his turn, he will accept that a multiplication of the present plethora of signs can be misleading.