HC Deb 23 March 1994 vol 240 cc269-71
8. Mr. Bellingham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what new initiatives he has for improving safety on Scottish trunk roads.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The Scottish Office is taking a number of new initiatives in the fields of engineering, education and enforcement, which are designed to improve safety on trunk and other roads in Scotland. These include measures to reduce vehicle speeds to bring down the number and severity of accidents.

Mr. Bellingham

Is the Minister aware that, rather than taking holidays in some grotty, overpriced, lager-loutinfested continental resort, I prefer to spend my holidays hill walking in Scotland? Is he aware that, to get to the hills and mountains, one must drive along many miles of dual carriageways and motorways, many of which do not have crash barriers along the central reservation—including the A74, along a number of miles of which there were no crash barriers until recently? What progress has been made in that important safety area?

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

My hon. Friend is right to highlight the matter. We made a deliberate policy decision to install safety barriers between dual carriageways and motorways. That is being done through a rolling programme not only for new motorways but for all existing ones. I am encouraged that my hon. Friend spends his holidays in Scotland, as do many of my colleagues on the Conservative Benches. Although he may not be attracted to lager, the water of life—by which I mean whisky—is good when taken in moderation.

Dr. Godman

Does the Minister agree that as regards prevention and deterrence, the finest and most effective safety measure to be taken on our roads is the substantial presence of police patrol cars? Why are there so few of them on our roads? Why is the Scottish Office refusing to give the assistance that is needed to put more cars and more police officers on our roads?

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Some time ago, there was an additional allocation for more police vehicles in Scotland and, of course, capital allocations for the police have been increased. As well as cars, we are installing speed detection cameras. They have had a valuable deterrent effect in slowing down motorists who otherwise would be checked and brought to book.

Sir Nicholas Fairbairn

May I ask my hon. Friend—as I frequently have, although not in the House—to improve signposting in Scotland? Nothing is more dangerous than a person who does not know where he is going? [Interruption.] Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition. In a letter from the Department, I was told that a person who is distracted by signposts is more likely to be unsafe than someone who is not so distracted. I thought that someone who did not know where he was going was more likely to be a danger than someone who did know where he was going. I have frequently asked my hon. Friend to make signposts available, for instance, on the Stirling road; a choice of Edinburgh or Glasgow is given, but the signposts do not tell people where the Kincardine Bridge is.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

We are putting in place more route action plans. It is important to have uniform signs and marking, as well as skid-resistant surfacing and safety fencing where appropriate. We will bear in mind my hon. and learned Friend's points. I am aware of his aesthetic objections to gantries, but they, too, serve a valuable purpose in giving information to motorists.

Mr. McFall

The Minister will know that, among other roads, the A82, A77 and A78 trunk roads have school buses travelling along them. Is not it beyond belief that the Government can find resources for national television and radio campaigns that encourage the use of seat belts in all minibuses and coaches, while they stonewall on calls to legislate to make it mandatory for seat belts to be fitted in all minibuses and coaches? Sanctimonious appeals by the Government for the public to act responsibly are insufficient. Does the Minister agree that every school pupil is entitled to a seat on a bus to himself? Will the Government therefore amend the legislation to ensure that and to assist local authorities in their drive to get safety on school buses?

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

I am aware of the deep-felt concern on that subject following the recent tragic accidents in Biggar and elsewhere. The matter is being urgently and actively considered, and I have met the Minister for Roads and Traffic at the Department of Transport. One of the problems is that of enforcement, as buses from other parts of Europe come here and the situation is governed by an EC regulation. I accept the urgency of the matter.

Rev. Martin Smyth

Does the Minister agree that while signposting and barriers are always helpful, the basic condition of the road is more important? Will he give an assurance that, in the near future, the A75 to Carlisle will be upgraded? Is not that vital both to the economies of south-west Scotland and of Northern Ireland and to the safety of those who travel. on that road?

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

We have spent over £100 million on such trunk roads. Of course that is an important route for Northern Ireland and we will continue to give priority where we can to it and to other trunk roads, particularly the M74.