HC Deb 14 November 1983 vol 48 cc598-9
9. Mr. Warren

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of motorway were affected by lane closures during the most recent month for which statistics are available; and how these figures compare with six months and 12 months previously.

Mrs. Chalker

We estimate that about 30 to 40 miles, out of a total of 1,500 miles of motorway are affected by lane closures at any one time during the peak March to November period for maintenance work.

Mr. Warren

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is she aware that I seem to run into those 30 to 40 miles every time I go on the motorway? Does she agree that we have many more miles of lane closures on our motorways than do other EC countries and the United States, where traffic is much heavier than in Britain? Is she aware that that is the subjective experience of many drivers? Will she try to concentrate repair gangs and resources on shorter sections so that they can be reopened more quickly?

Mrs. Chalker

My hon. Friend has been ill-advised about what routes to take because, I am told, we do not have more miles of lane closures than other countries. Our older motorways have been the victims of their own success. Last year, I noted the concern that was being expressed. Moreover, I experienced delays and still do regularly. Last year we changed to having shorter working lengths and longer gaps between sites. We are always trying to improve matters and now build roads to a stronger structural specification so that they will take the volume of traffic that is expected in the next 20 years. We are always trying to do better.

Mr. Hardy

Will the Minister confirm that, in addition to lane closures, there have always been a considerable number of carriageway closures? Is she aware that on the M1 northbound there has been a complete carriageway closure on more than 200 occasions in the past three years? As those closures appear to be continuing, will she accept that some of us cannot choose the route that we take? Is she aware that the Government must accept that people who travel from London late at night are subjected to enormous delays and considerable frustration? When can we expect an improvement?

Mrs. Chalker

Many hon. Members will know that the area to which the hon. Gentleman principally refers is between junctions 5 and 8. We have been widening the motorway there to three lanes. We should all have appreciated that many years ago. Entirely new bridges have had to be built and for safety reasons there have had to be lane closures. Other improvements are being made as quickly as possible. No one, whether it be the hon. Gentleman or me, likes delays. I shall do all that is within my power—as my engineers are doing—to speed up the work that is necessary to provide the motorway network that we need for the future.

Mr. Ray Powell

Will the Minister assure the House that there will be a statement on lane closures on the Severn bridge, as such closures are affecting the Welsh economy? It is high time that we had another statement on the matter.

Mrs. Chalker

I fully understand, and am sympathetic to, the hon. Gentleman's point. We expect to receive shortly a final report from Flint and Neill which has been agreed by Mott, Hay and Anderson. Any slight delay in its receipt has no significance for the safety of the bridge. My right hon. Friend will inform the House of the report's recommendations as soon as possible and will place a copy of it in the Library.