HC Deb 09 March 1977 vol 927 cc1403-4
21. Mr. Hodgson

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the effectiveness of the present polices for salting motorways.

Mr. Horam

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Hodgson

Is the Minister aware that there is a considerable body of scientific opinion that says that the amount of salt being applied to motorways exceeds the optimum by two to four times and that this is causing considerable environmental damage, because of the concentrations of salt in the surrounding run-off of the motorway? Is the Minister also aware that his Department has authorised the use of an anti-caking element in the salt, which allows a considerable amount of cyanide into the water culverts around motorways?

Mr. Horam

I was aware of some of those points. The hon. Gentleman obviously knows a great deal about the subject. I was not aware of his last point, but I shall look into it and write to him.

Mr. John Ellis

Does the Minister realise that there is evidence to suggest that when excessive amounts of salt are used it makes the surface dangerous? If the Minister really wants to save money throughout the country, he should note that there is a disparate programme being carried out and that in some areas salt is thrown down on the road in shovelfuls.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman is giving advice when he ought to be asking a question.

Mr. Ellis

Does the Minister realise that those are the facts? Will he get the Road Research Laboratory to study the problem immediately, because this would save on the cost of salt, damage to vehicles and accidents?

Mr. Horam

I always welcome advice from my hon. Friend, especially when it is so extensive and forceful. If my hon. Friend has any evidence, perhaps from his own area, of salt being improperly spread, I shall look into it. My advice is that if salt is spread properly—and I concede that this begs the question asked by my hon. Friend—it results in a reduction in accidents.

Mr. Ron Lewis

Has the Minister any figures about the cost of maintaining roads arising from the use of salt during the past winter?

Mr. Horam

Approximately 50,000 tons of salt was spread on motorways in England in each of the last three years at an approximate cost in 1974 of £337,000, in 1975 £383,000 and in 1976 £400,000.