HC Deb 21 February 1994 vol 238 cc6-7
5. Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of car owners frequently use motorways; and what proportion never use motorways.

Mr. MacGregor

In the summer of 1992, my Department carried out a number of surveys into the use made of motorways in this country. The results indicate that half the number of road users rarely or never use motorways and about 85 per cent. of motorway miles are driven by frequent users.

Mr. Thurnham

When does my right hon. Friend expect to be able to use new technology to recover the cost of motorways from those who use them rather than from motorists in general—not all of whom enjoy the undoubted benefits of motorways?

Mr. MacGregor

As the figures that I quoted show, a surprisingly high proportion of British motorists hardly ever use motorways. We announced our decision in principle to go for motorway tolling so that, at least in part, the cost of motorways would be met by the user. I stress the words "at least in part".

As to technology, I expect to announce later this week the first part of our research and development programme on electronic technology, which I expect to be one of the biggest in the world. We expect interest from more than 300 companies in that research and development.

Mr. Barnes

If there were more buses and trains whose routes were interlinked, might not car owners leave their vehicles at home more often? Would not less money need to be spent on motorways and other roads, so that we could have a decent public transport system?

Mr. MacGregor

It is clear from the choice of individuals to drive on motorways, and of companies to transport freight on them, that many more people want the freedom to use their vehicles, and I must take that into account. The hon. Gentleman must understand that myriad types of journeys are undertaken on motorways every day, which involve joining them and leaving them at different points. It would be impossibly expensive to duplicate that flexibility with a railway infrastructure.