HC Deb 01 December 1976 vol 921 cc896-7
9. Mr. Madel

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to prohibit heavy vehicles and lorries from using the overtaking lane on the two-lane stretch of the M1 south of Bedfordshire; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Horam

Such restrictions have been placed on certain short stretches of two-lane motorway where there are uphill gradients and heavy traffic causing congestion, but I am not convinced at the moment that they would be appropriate on that particular stretch.

Mr. Madel

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the severe congestion on this section of the M1 is getting worse year by year and is made even worse when one lorry slowly passes another? I recognise that at present the Government do not have the wherewithal to construct a third lane, but will they consider this matter again? This section of the M1 will be used more and more as the years pass. Surely the suggestion in the Question would be helpful.

Mr. Horam

I understand the hon. Gentleman's point. We have no evidence yet that lorries, as opposed to the general level of traffic, are causing a problem on this section of the M1. If we were to restrict lorries, it would, first, be difficult to enforce the restriction as this is a heavily-used route and it would be hard for the police to operate a restriction on this section of the M1. There is also the problem that lorries might begin to use other and less suitable roads.

Mr. Ford

I could furnish the Department with the evidence. I could do so if my hon. Friend drove with me down the M1 from the North on a Monday morning. Is my hon. Friend aware of the intense frustration that is caused to private car drivers by lorries using the second avenue on a two-channel roadway? That occurs not only within the stretch mentioned in the Question but on stretches of three-lane motorway that have been restricted to two lanes.

Mr. Horam

As I have said, I am not unsympathetic on this point, which I shall examine carefully. I am well aware of the problems, but I must point out to my hon. Friend that motorways are meant for lorries as well as cars. If lorries do not go on motorways, they will go on roads that are far less suitable and will thus cause far more annoyance to the general public.