HL Deb 19 March 1964 vol 256 cc950-1

3.13 p.m.

LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDAL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when it is proposed to make compulsory the marking of three-lane traffic roads with continuous alternate white and broken lines, on each near side, in order to reduce accidents and head-on collisions, and generally to make it safer for vehicles to overtake.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)

My Lords, trials of alternately offset double white lines on three-lane winding roads are already in progress. A trial of the same system on a straight road is now being planned. I cannot anticipate the outcome of these trials.

LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDAL

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that reply, I would ask if he can tell the House whether the Government have any experience of these matters in Europe or elsewhere in the world and, if so, would this experience be of any help in coming to a decision on this matter as early as possible?

LORD CHESHAM

Yes, my Lords. There has been experience of this, particularly in Italy, and we have availed ourselves of their co-operation in telling us about their experience. As we had thought, it has proved not an entirely unmixed blessing, but we should like to adapt the system, if possible, to our own circumstances.