HC Deb 02 July 2002 vol 388 cc78-9
7. Paul Flynn (Newport, West)

What proposals he has to increase the number of motorway variable signs. [63717]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. David Jamieson)

Currently, there are about 880 variable message signs on the English motorway and trunk road network. As part of our commitment to providing motorists with better information about traffic conditions, we plan to increase that number to 1,400 by spring 2005.

Paul Flynn

Last Friday afternoon, there were two accidents on the M4—one near Reading and one near Swindon. Because there are hardly any variable message signs between the outskirts of London and the Severn crossing, drivers approaching those hold-ups had no advance warning. The Minister will be aware of how distressing it is—especially for young families and the vulnerable elderly—to be stuck in traffic jams with no idea of their likely duration. Can he confirm that the acceleration in the provision of variable message signs that he just mentioned will include that section of the M4?

Mr. Jamieson

Like my hon. Friend, we, too, are distressed to hear about such jams. We realise that they not only cause people inconvenience, but create a greater road safety risk. Handling traffic after major incidents on motorways is something that we can and will do better during the next few years, especially as the new national traffic control centre comes into being. That will provide motorists with information so that they can, where necessary, take avoiding action. Furthermore, as part of the 10-year plan, the Highways Agency is installing automatic hold-up warning systems on the most congested 30 per cent. of our motorways. They will be in place by 2005. We certainly hope that such measures will help to reduce accidents at the back of queues and, of course, the inconvenience that, as my hon. Friend pointed out, people must have suffered last week on the M4.

Michael Fabricant (Lichfield)

I hope that the national traffic control centre does not use the same computer system as National Air Traffic Services.

The Minister will be aware of the value of variable speed limits on motorways such as the M25. Associated with them are, of course, speed cameras. Can the Minister confirm that the Government have no plans to introduce speed cameras on the rest of Britain's motorways?

Mr. Jamieson

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on sliding from signs to speed cameras. I can assure him that we shall be using the variable signs to give motorists up-to-date information that will help them to take avoiding action where appropriate, especially where traffic is blocking part of the motorway. As Transport Direct unfolds, motorists will also have good-quality information about road conditions before they set out, so that they can decide whether to switch to public transport if appropriate.

Dr. Brian Iddon (Bolton, South-East)

Like my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Paul Flynn), I recognise the value of variable motorway signs. Does my hon. Friend the Minister agree, however, that the confidence in those signs is proportional to the timeliness of the information that they provide? Will he ensure that when that information is out of time it is revised or the signs are switched off?

Mr. Jamieson

My hon. Friend is absolutely correct. That is why the new national information system will give contemporary information to motorists. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing signs that warn of a lower speed limit or of an incident ahead that does not exist. We will make sure that the new information system gives up-to-date contemporary information that is of genuine help and use to motorists.