§ 26. Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the erection of crash barriers on the central reservation of motorways is proceeding on time in accordance with the national programme announced on 16th December, 1970; and whether he will bring forward the date of the erection of barriers on the M1 motorway 1492 between Kegworth in Leicestershire and Pinxton in Nottinghamshire.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Michael Heseltine)Yes, Sir. The programme is on time. It has been prepared on the basis of equipping the busiest motorways first. Conditions on M1 between Kegworth and Pinxton are not such as to justify priority given to it over other motorways carrying more traffic.
§ Mr. ClarkeI congratulate my hon. Friend for that part of his answer which reveals that his important national programme is indeed on time. Would he not take steps to identify the most dangerous as well as the most busy sections of motorway? As this section seems to be one of exceptional danger, can he not consider bringing it forward?
§ Mr. HeseltineWe do equate danger with the busiest sections. There was an accident on this section which was of concern to my hon. Friend. However, when I tell him that the people concerned had blood alcohol levels of over 160 mg./ml., he will understand that there is a particular issue in this case.
§ 32. Mr. William Wellsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now arrange for sections of motorways where fog prevails or is forecast to be closed until visibility returns to normal.
§ Mr. WellsWhile appreciating the disadvantages of closing the motorways in these circumstances, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to accept that until better precautions are devised one must consider whether there is any other means of preventing the terrible loss of life which occurs from time to time on the motorways?
§ Mr. GriffithsThe best way to save lives on the motorways in fog is for those who drive on them to do so very much more safely than a minority do at the present time.
§ Dr. StuttafordDoes the Minister agree that one of the hazards of driving in fog or wet conditions on the motorways is the spray thrown up by long lorries, so making visibility even more difficult? Will he look into methods of reducing this spray?
§ Mr. GriffithsYes, Sir.
§ Mr. MolloyIs the Minister aware that when we were discussing this matter last Friday his right hon. Friend, in response to a suggestion from me, said that to initiate fog squads would cause a manpower problem? Is he aware that over the weekend it was reported in the newspapers that such fog squads already exist? For example, we read that in the North of England they have contributed greatly to reducing the number of accidents. Will the hon. Gentleman consider making fog squads a national feature, so that we can start to prevent these ghastly accidents?
§ Mr. GriffithsIf by "fog squads" the hon. Gentleman is referring to police patrols which assist vehicles to move in convoys in fog, then I agree that there is some place for them. The West Riding Constabulary already operates such a patrol, with some success. This is a matter for each chief officer of police to decide, in terms of the situation of his area, his manpower capabilities and his view of the most appropriate methods of employing that manpower.