Roads (Edge Markings) (Hansard, 9 February 1977)

§ 5. Mr. Edwin Wainwright
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now take action to have more extensive use of continuous edge of carriageway road markings in non-built-up areas in order to reduce the number of road accidents.

§ Mr. Horam
Not at present. We shall, however, look at the two-year results of the trial in East Sussex when they become available and will study these together with reports from highway authorities to see whether there is any need to revise present design policies.

§ Mr. Wainwright
Will my hon. Friend have a more serious look at this matter? It is estimated that a national programme of putting edge lines on our roads in non-built-up areas would save about 500 lives and 9,000 injuries. Will he therefore have consultations with local authorities and press that these edge lines should be provided throughout the country?

§ Mr. Horam
We take this matter seriously. The results of the first 12 months of the East Sussex experiment are very striking, but we have often found, in looking at these experiments, that after an initial period the savings decline, and therefore we want to let this experiment proceed for two years to judge the total effect. Experiments in other countries have provided contradictory evidence about the effect on road safety. However, my Department is asking local authorities to explain their policies of edge marking 1414 and the extent to which it has been used. We are therefore gathering all the evidence to us, to see what has been happening.

§ Mr. Mudd
In his approaches to highway authorities will the Minister also ask them to consider the effects of edge lining in terms of savings on road maintenance costs by keeping vehicles away from the kerb?

§ Mr. Horam
Edge lining reduces haunch distress—[Interruption.] That is an extraordinary term, and I could not possibly explain it. Perhaps the House has some idea of what it means. Edge lining leads to a reduction in maintenance costs. That is another advantage of examining this system seriously.

§ Mr. Wainwright
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek leave to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.