HC Deb 23 July 1980 vol 989 cc482-4
10. Mr. David Young

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on current delays on the Ml and M6 as a result of roadworks; when the works will be completed; and what discussions have taken place between his officials and the police concerning remedial action to reduce and control delays.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

As my right hon. Friend announced in last month's White Paper, 13 major repair contracts will be carried out on the Ml and M6 motorways this year at phased intervals between March and the end of the year. While some delays to drivers are inevitable, we intend to take every practicable step to reduce them to the minimum. We are greatly assisted by advice from the police who are consulted early in the planning of all major motorway repairs.

Mr. Young

May I draw the Parliamentary Secretary's attention to the problem arising from signposting, particularly where lanes are reduced from three to two or even one? Will he consult the police to see what can be done about the problem of drivers ignoring early warning signs to get into the appropriate lane with the result that chaos is caused where the merging of lanes eventually takes place and there is frustration all round? Will he look at the general question of signposting on motorways to ensure that where repairs are carried out it is accurate, adequate and is removed when not required?

Mr. Clarke

The problems arising where lanes are reduced are being eased by constant sophistication of the contraflow system. We certainly do our best to ease the flow of traffic into reduced lanes by proper advanced signing and coning. We consult the police about that. We are thinking of extending further the information available to motorists about possible delays, and we are even thinking of locating courtesy boards at road works so that motorists can understand the cause of the delay.

Mr. Michael Morris

Will my hon. and learned Friend call for a report on the time taken by direct labour departments, such as that used in my county of Northamptonshire, to complete work on the Ml compared with the performance of contractors to see whether, as I suspect, there is a difference?

Mr. Clarke

The whole question of direct labour organisations is being examined. When we reach conclusions there will be some changes in the arrangements for highways works, as for other work.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a few years ago these road works were a major inconvenience? Then they became a national joke. Now it is more serious than that. When will it be possible to make an uninterrupted journey to the North-West?

Mr. Clarke

The extent and age of the motorway system is such that I do not think that anyone can anticipate a time when it will be free of major repairs. We have to time repairs in such a way that no excessive delays are caused in any part of the system, and we must carry on improving our methods to reduce delays to motorists.

Mr. Cockeram

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that it is a euphemism to say that our motorways are being repaired? They are basically being reconstructed. Clearly, in the early days, inadequate information was supplied and the wrong decisions made by those responsible for the construction of the motorways. Would not the work now being carried out be unnecessary if the right decisions had been taken earlier?

Mr. Clarke

With hindsight one can undoubtedly say that the extent to which heavy traffic would be attracted to the motorways was underestimated. However, it is also the case that some of them are getting quite old. A road does not have an indefinite life. The motorways had a design life of only 15 or 20 years, and substantial reconstruction work is inevitable.