HC Deb 11 July 1973 vol 859 cc1520-1
22. Sir John Tilney

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements he now proposes to make to avoid snarl-up on motorways when road works on such motorways are undertaken.

Mr. Speed

Maintenance work is undertaken so far as possible in such a way as to cause minimum interference with traffic, and after consultation with the police.

Sir John Tilney

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that those of us who took an hour to go three miles on the M6 north of Lancaster during the Spring Recess think that if the police had placed notices at the intersections beforehand many motorists would have been able to get to their destinations much more quickly?

Mr. Speed

I am aware that it is not always possible to get this right. There are difficulties. A few months ago we issued further guidance because some very bad problems occurred on the M6 last year. On the whole we are getting this better, but before taking any action we must balance the safety factor.

Mr. Delargy

Does not the Under-Secretary deplore the use of the expression, "snarl-up"? I assure him that it will not be found in the Oxford Dictionary.

Mr. Speed

People who get involved in such delays get pretty snarly.

Mrs. Monks

May I call my hon. Friend's attention to the dangerous situation that exists at the junction of the M62 and the M6, just north of Chorley and Leyland, and inform him, if he is not familiar with the junction, that five lanes of traffic suddenly have to go into three lanes and there is no roundabout to control the speed?

Mr. Speed

If my hon. Friend cares to write to me or to table a specific Question on the point, I shall do my best to answer her.