§ 3.6 p.m.
§ LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEUMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government to state their reasons why all dual carriageway roads cannot now be governed by that part of the Motorway Code which regulates (1) no stopping or parking, (2) lane discipline.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)My Lords, on the first point, all motorways are specially designed for uninterrupted traffic flow. Other roads are not built in this way, and the motorway prohibition against stopping on the carriageway could not, in general, be applied to them. As regards lane discipline, substantially the same rules already apply both to motorways and to other roads, with one necessary exception. The exception is that, on ordinary roads, the right-hand lane has to be used for turning right as well as for overtaking; on motorways, it is for overtaking only.
§ LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEUMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his reply, I cannot but feel rather disappointed. Does he not agree that here is a rule which is not only simple to explain to the general public but also not expensive to apply, and which would, in fact, save many lives a year by preventing accidents?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, in principle I would certainly agree with the noble Lord. Unfortunately, generalising on dual carriageways 524 throughout the country, the fact is that many are constructed with building development — even shops — at their sides; and it would therefore not be practicable, however desirable (as I agree it is), for vehicles not to be allowed to stop. These roads have pedestrian crossings as well, so that they simply are not suitable for this prohibition.
LORD SOM̃ERSMy Lords, does the noble Lord not agree that when stopping is allowed on a dual carriageway—as, for instance, the A.4 into London—lane discipline becomes practically impossible? One finds that the left-hand lane is blocked by vehicles which are allowed to stop, and the right-hand lane is occupied by vehicles wishing to turn right, with the result that the only lane on which one can travel without interruption is the centre one?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I would, of course, agree that stopping on the road is entirely undesirable, and should be severely discouraged in any way it reasonably can be. Indeed, it is for that reason that all modern thinking and planning is to produce dual-carriageway roads much more like the motorway specification, so that (as is already happening) we can begin to introduce what is now known as the "clearways" system. This system is already undergoing experiment on four different main roads leading out of London: where the road is suitable for a prohibition, it is now being imposed. That experiment is going ahead, and is likely to be extended in the future.
§ LORD MORRISON OF LAMBETHMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord representing the Government whether he will keep in mind that some of the dual-carriageway roads are fairly modest affairs, having on their edges residential property, and that it would be very inconvenient if people could not leave their cars outside their houses for a reasonable time while they were inside; and that if the rules applying to the M.1 type of road were applied to these roads, a great deal of public inconvenience would result? I remember one road in my old Parliamentary constituency of South Lewisham where I think it would be an undue interference with the citizens if they could not leave their cars outside.
§ LORD CHESHAMI had not that particular point in mind, because I do not think that living beside a dual-carriageway road—although I take the noble Lord's point—necessarily gives one the right to a garage upon it. What I had more in mind as creating difficulty was the necessary stopping of vehicles to service those houses—to deliver things, to pick up people, or (and here, perhaps, I have been too harsh) to stop for a reasonable time on the carriageway. It is precisely that kind of difficulty which would make it impracticable to put a general prohibition on stopping on all dual-carriageway roads.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, would it not be too ridiculous for words to apply this no-stopping order to the dual-carriageway between Edinburgh and Glasgow?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I have never been on it, and I have not the faintest idea.
§ LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEUMy Lords, may I say, finally, that I feel it is a great pity that the question of convenience should in any way affect any rules concerning road safety?