HC Deb 02 August 1978 vol 955 cc725-7
1. Mr. Dudley Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider raising the maximum speed on motorways to 80 mph.

The Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. John Horam)

No, Sir. I consider 70 mph a reasonable limit.

Mr. Smith

Is the Minister aware that the speed limit of 70 mph causes dangerous bunching in the fast lane on motorways? As many people already drive quite responsibly at speeds up to 80 mph, does he not think that it would be a good idea to increase the limit and then be much more rigorous about enforcement against those who exceed the new limit?

Mr. Horam

No. I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman. I do not think that the limit of 70 mph is the cause of bunching. I believe that bunching is caused by poor lane discipline, by people travelling too closely, and by sheer impatience. If people would work on that, travelling on motorways would be safer.

Mr. Ronald Atkins

Will my hon. Friend resist any attempts to increase the maximum speed limit, not only on grounds of safety but to discourage those who already drive at 80 mph from driving at 90 mph or 100 mph?

Mr. Horam

I hope that I am showing adequate resistance.

Mr. Penhaligon

Will the Minister reflect upon when he last drove on the motorways—no doubt it was at precisely 70 mph—in the rain with a tremendous amount of water being thrown up by juggernaut lorries? Is there no way in which this unbelievable spray can be reduced? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I experienced the problem this week and that I believe this to be a cause of danger on the motorways?

Mr. Horam

I never drive at 70 mph on motorways in the rain. I may do so at other times. I shall look into the point raised by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Andrew MacKay

Is the Minister aware that I have a vested interest, having been caught for speeding recently on a motorway? Notwithstanding that, does he agree that there are other factors which cause bunching as well as those he mentioned, the most important being the 70 mph speed limit? Whereas his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Smith) was a little dusty, may I ask him to assure me that he will keep his options open on this question and review it periodically?

Mr. Horam

We are always prepared to look at these matters in the light of current practice and the best evidence available. If the position changes we shall certainly look at it again. I remind the House that we made a change as recently as a year ago when we increased the limits from 50 mph to 60 mph on normal roads and on all dual-carriageways to 70 mph. People should settle down to that for a reasonable period.

Mr. Rooker

Is my hon. Friend aware that noise is a product of speed? Does he view with disquiet, as do my constituents who live alongside the M6 motorway, the proposals reported in The Guardian on Monday to increase the speed limit and the weight of the juggernauts on our roads?

Mr. Horam

I am afraid that the points made in The Guardian were pure speculation. There has been no consultation of any kind about those matters—

Mr. Rooker

Speak up.

Mr. Horam

I think that the House can hear me. The report is complete nonsense.