HL Deb 21 July 1966 vol 276 cc541-2

3.10 p.m.

LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDAL

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made during the last two years, to the latest available date, in the provision of alternately offset double or single white lines on a straight road of three lanes.]

LORD CHAMPION

My Lords, trials with the use of offset double white lines on a number of roads have been in progress over periods varying from one to three years, and my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport hopes to make a statement soon.

LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDAL

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. Is he aware that, so far as can be seen, these experiments are highly successful? Everybody who has experienced them wonders why much more rapid progress has not been made in providing these offset double and single white lines on many roads, and in general extending their use. Could this matter not now be hurried up after all this length of time?

LORD CHAMPION

My Lords, I must admit that at one time, when I first saw these lines, I thought completely as the noble Lord does on this point. But the results of these trials have not yet been fully assessed in the Department. So far, it appears that the use of offset lines alternately has not secured a marked improvement at all sites. In some cases there is evidence of an increase, though perhaps not of severity, in the number of accidents, and also of danger at the change-over points. This needs further investigation, but we rather hope that the Minister will take a decision which will be announced shortly.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, can the Minister assure us that, whatever may be done to lessen the danger of such three-lane highways as we now unfortunately have, nothing will lessen Her Majesty's Government's determination to abolish three-lane highways altogether as soon as they possibly can, because they are death traps?

LORD CHAMPION

My Lords, we are in complete agreement with that. The dual carriageway is obviously the road we shall build in the future.