HC Deb 12 November 1973 vol 864 cc11-2
8. Mr. Ellis

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what further action he now proposes in relation to safety at the Wrexham bypass roundabout, near Gresford Colliery.

Mr. Peter Thomas

Larger and additional traffic signs are being provided. The need for further measures will be considered when investigations into the recent tanker accident are completed.

Mr. Ellis

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that ordinarily I would not, on the Floor of the House, have raised a question about a roundabout in my constituency? However, following several accidents within a few months, including a fatality, a coroner's jury rider about the lack of safety at the roundabout and a disastrous occurrence a few weeks ago, when the road had to be closed for nine hours, and having written twice to the Secretary of State, I want to express the serious concern of my constituents about the state of affairs at the roundabout. Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman accept the seriousness of the position?

Mr. Thomas

Yes, certainly. I accept that people are regarding the matter with great seriousness. I am aware of only two accidents at the roundabout since it was opened to traffic in March 1973. I am aware of the tragic accident on 27th May and the overturning tanker on 30th October. I intended to write to the hon. Gentleman about the general situation when I had completed my investigations into the tanker accident.

Mr. Carter-Jones

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman take it from me that my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Mr. Ellis), who is my Member of Parliament, will receive a tremendous amount of support in Wrexham? The alleged road improvement is now so dangerous that the public of Wrexham and the surrounding area avoid it. Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman accept that whoever designed the roundabout must have had an almighty bad headache on the morning he did so?

Mr. Thomas

I have considered the matter. The roundabout, as I understand it, has been constructed to standards which apply throughout the United Kingdom. I have already announced that remedial measures are being taken. We shall consider whether any further measures need to be taken in the light of the investigations into the recent accident. The police are satisfied with the measures which I have just announced.