HL Deb 07 February 1961 vol 228 cc349-51

2.20 p.m.

EARL HOWE

My 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 whether the Ministry of Transport has considered if the lighting of the Hanger Lane underpass is adequate; whether the Ministry is aware that under certain conditions of weather the dazzle effect does not make for safety; whether consideration was given to the French specification for the lighting of such works, and whether further consideration can he given to the lighting of this and similar works in order to avoid dazzle.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)

My Lords, a great deal of thought was given to the lighting of the underpass before the present installation was decided upon. Not only the French specifications but those used in several other countries were considered. The installation was designed by the consulting engineers who designed the underpass, in association with specialist consultants and with the Ministry of Transport's lighting engineers. The noble Earl's Question is the first intimation we have received that the installation gives rise to dazzle and it has not been found by the Ministry's lighting engineers in various inspections they have made. Possibly the noble Earl would care to let me have particulars of the conditions in which he considers the light to be dazzling, and I will arrange for further investigation

EARL HOWE

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord very much for his answer to my Question. On Saturday morning last I went through the tunnel and there was heavy traffic. There were two lines of traffic ahead of me. I could not possibly see how close or how far away they were, owing to the dazzle effect of going into the tunnel from a bright light into a comparatively dark one

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, perhaps it would be to the advantage of the House if my noble friend would discuss this matter with me afterwards, because at the moment all I know is that very great pains were taken to prevent, so far as possible, just the kind of circumstance that he mentions. If he would care to discuss it with me I will certainly see what further investigations can be made.

EARL HOWE

I thank the noble Lord. and I shall be only too delighted.

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, could the noble Lord say, now that the underpass has been completed, when the surface obstructions are going to be removed? Because they cause great delay to the traffic on the existing road.

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords. I am sorry but I really cannot extend my noble friend's question.

THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he has been through the underpass, and if so whether he is satisfied with the way things are going?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, at least I can answer the first part of my noble friend's question, to which the answer is, No. I regret that with regard to the second part I really must make the same reply that I made to the noble Lord. Lord Stonham.