HC Deb 14 July 1982 vol 27 cc1022-3
7. Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he now anticipates that the current major roadworks on the M1 will be completed.

Mrs. Chalker

The M1 widening scheme between junctions 5 and 8 in Hertfordshire should be completed by the autumn of 1983. Several major maintenance contracts are also in progress on other sections of the motorway and should be completed during the summer and autumn of this year.

Mr. Janner

Does the Minister agree that the existence of major roadworks on the M1 not only creates delay, aggravation and expense, but potentially grave danger, especially when traffic is flowing in both directions on the same side of the motorway? Is she aware that I was involved in a serious accident only a few days ago near Leicester on the M1, when the lives of everyone in the car were undoubtely saved by seat belts and by the existence of a crash barrier? Will she please do all she can to see that the occasions on which there is a contra-flow system are kept to a minimum?

Mrs. Chalker

I am sure that the whole House will join me in saying that we are relieved to see the hon. and learned Gentleman safe and sound and to learn that he was wearing his seat belt.

I am aware that the extensive repairs and reconstruction not only cause inconvenience, but, unless properly planned and well thought through, could also cause additional danger. It is for those reasons that we have extended the preparation lanes into the contra-flow system. We have changed the original system and I hope that motorists using the contra-flow system on the motorways will bear in mind the advised speed limits. They are being exceeded all too often by motorists who are trying to make haste. That causes accidents.

Mr. Robert Atkins

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is still considerable dissatisfaction among users of the motorways about the apparent coning of parts of surrounding areas that are involved in motorway reconstruction but where there does not appear to be any work going on? Will my hon. Friend look closely at the problem, as it delays many of her right hon. and hon. Friends as they travel to their constituencies?

Mrs. Chalker

I am concerned not only with my right hon. and hon. Friends and other hon. Members, but with the whole travelling public. We have asked our regional directors to ensure that coning on the motorways is carried out only when necessary. The fact that works may not appear to be going on is because the asphalt may be drying out. If we did not allow that necessary procedure to happen, there would be a waste of the investment in the resurfacing work.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Is the Minister satisfied with the liaison between her Department and the police authorities? Is she aware—I reported this to her office on Monday—that when I came down the M1 on Sunday, drivers were using the hard shoulder as though it were the outside, fast lane? Will she join me in deploring that dreadfully dangerous practice? Is she further aware that there was not a policeman in sight to take action? Will she see that that is remedied as soon as possible before there is a major accident and loss of life at those roadworks?

Mrs. Chalker

I was grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that information. I, too, had noted this. We have asked the police to take special note of those who are travelling on the hard shoulder. As I said in an earlier reply, we appeal to all motorists to observe the speed restrictions, which are put there not for fun but to save lives. I hope that motorists will take heed of that.