HL Deb 28 January 1970 vol 307 cc382-4

2.51 p.m.

LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORD

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 Minister of Transport's consideration of the problems arising out of the fragmented surface of the M4 Motorway near the London Airport exit has now been completed; and, if so, what treatment is proposed to repair the road surface and to meet the claims of the many motorists who have claimed for broken windscreens.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, R.A.F. (LORD WINTER-BOTTOM)

My Lords, studies of these problems are still continuing and no firm conclusions have yet been reached. The surface dressing has achieved its object of restoring the resistance of the road surface to skidding and no further work is contemplated for the time being. Claims in respect of broken windscreens are being considered on their merits and, where appropriate, settlement will be offered.

LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORD

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer. Does he not think that these claims, a number of which has been outstanding for some months, should now be settled both in the interests of the claimants and in the good name of the Government? Secondly, is the noble Lord aware that the "Go Slow" notices are still displayed on this motorway, and does he consider it satisfactory to allow this situation to continue? Is it not desirable that the surface should be restored to a proper condition and the road to normal usage?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, on the first point, the noble Lord is probably aware that the number of claims received is 660, which is fairly substantial; but I will make a point of informing my right honourable friend that concern is being felt that these cases are not being deal with quickly enough. As regards the noble Lord's second question, on the continuing need to have a warning sign along this stretch of motorway, I think the House must not forget that the previous situation was perhaps equally unfortunate because of the high skid danger on this road. The advice of experts is that winter weather conditions are not ideal for remedial works. We must wait until the spring before the shortcomings of this new form of dressing can be corrected.

LORD BYERS

My Lords, can the noble Lord say what are the criteria, other than a broken windscreen, by which claims are judged to have merit, or otherwise?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, the one criterion is a broken windscreen. Therefore, claims have to be judged by the sole criterion of whether that was caused by flying grit or flying something else.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend what on earth is the use of putting up notices on this particular stretch of road marked, "Slow: Loose Chippings", when every driver interprets the word "Slow" at his own particular speed? Is my noble friend aware that I have seen this very morning motorists driving on this road at over 60 m.p.h.? And why does the Minister not put up signs indicating the maximum speed allowed, as exist on other far less dangerous stretches of this same road?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I am afraid that I cannot help my noble friend on that point to-day, but I will look into it. My impression was that on the elevated stretch of this road speed signs were shown, but that on the other stretch there is no facility for these.

LORD GRIMSTON OF WESTBURY

My Lords, would the noble Lord look at this again? I was along that road a short time ago and the notices warning drivers to slow up because of loose chippings are still there. There have been no loose chippings there for months, and as a result such warning signs are being brought into contempt.

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I am afraid that there are loose chippings. What has happened is that, with the access of cold weather, some chippings are working loose and causing accidents, and this is one of the causes of complaint.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, I wonder whether the noble Lord would tell me whether the Road Research Laboratory at Crowthorne have been commissioned to work at this.

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, the actual resurfacing was worked out with the Road Research Laboratory. They had a major part to play in it, and they will play a major part finding corrective measures.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, can my noble friend tell us what he regards as a maximum speed for the term "Slow"?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, this, unfortunately, depends on the common sense of drivers, and that is not always an available commodity.

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, can the noble Lord confirm that his answer to my noble friend's supplementary means that this motorway will be restored to a chippingless state in the spring?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, it will be restored to a satisfactory state. Chippings may be necessary to prevent skidding on this surface.