HL Deb 21 November 1974 vol 354 cc1116-8
LORD DE CLIFFORD

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 they are aware of the danger caused in wet weather by the massive sheets of spray and mud thrown up by multi-wheeled vehicles travelling at high speeds both to following and approaching traffic and whether they have any proposals to reduce this danger.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT (BARONESS BIRK)

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has commissioned a programme of research to find ways of reducing the hazard of spray thrown up by vehicles on wet roads.

LORD DE CLIFFORD

My Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for that Answer, may I ask her whether she could convey to her right honourable friend the urgency of this matter? The weather which we are experiencing at the moment is, particularly on three-lane carriageways, quite disastrous at times. One sees clouds of spray and smoke flying around so that it is most important that this matter should be proceeded with. I ask the noble Baroness whether she will convey to her right honourable friend that this matter should be proceeded with at great speed?

BARONESS BIRK

Yes, my Lords, I will most certainly do so.

LORD POPPLEWELL

My Lords, would not my noble friend agree that this is a subject that has been frequently referred to over many years and that nothing has been done about it? Is she aware that we are pleased to hear that a Committee has been established to go into the matter, and could she say when that Committee had its first meeting and when she hopes that a Report will be available for the consideration of noble Lords?

BARONESS BIRK

My Lords, this is a programme of research, not a question of a specific committee. First, there is a programme of practical tests which are aimed at finding a mudguard design that will reduce spray. One must find a design which will allow adequate ventilation to the wheels and brakes. Secondly, experiments are being carried out to test a road surface which is both pervious and hard-wearing and will allow surface water to drain away rapidly, thus reducing the amount of spray. Thirdly, the Transport and Road Research Laboratory has a contract with Southampton University for research into the fundamental factors associated with spray formation. In reply to the second part of my noble friend's question, the research into the mudguard design is at a very early stage, the work on the pervious road surfaces has been going on for some time and we are hopeful that the Southampton University project will be completed in two years.

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, while accepting the noble Baroness's assertion that the road surface drainage and construction are of vital importance, may I ask why the Government cannot bring in an Order—which would simplify matters for the time being—laying down that mudflaps are to be worn behind all wheels?

BARONESS BIRK

Because, my Lords, the wearing of mudflaps gives rise to many problems. As the noble Lord will be aware, this has been tried in Sweden and we are not satisfied with the results because of the effect on ventilation and also because mudflaps do not prevent the spray and mud being thrown sideways.

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I cannot understand how the question of ventilation comes into this.

BARONESS BIRK

Neither can I, my Lords, but this is what I am told.

BARONESS EMMET OF AMBERLEY

My Lords, is the Minister aware that I have for three years running asked this Question and that I gave up in discouragement? I am greatly encouraged by the Answer to-day, but is it not a fact that far greater progress has already been made on the Continent—where big lorries do not give nearly so much trouble as do ours here—and could not we learn something from them to hurry up our procedures?

BARONESS BIRK

My Lords, this is a very great problem because the roads, the tonnages and the conditions are different, but I am very well aware of the noble Baroness's past Questions. I can assure her that I did ask about this matter in discussing this Question and I pointed out that the House would require to feel that some action was being taken.

LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORD

My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that there is one simple improvement which could be made to the multi-axled vehicle? Is she aware that the usual practice with these very large vehicles is to have mudguards on the front axle only and that the rear two or three axles have no mudguards? Is the noble Baroness aware that if all axles were required to have mudguards of any kind it would significantly reduce the spray? While accepting all the complications, may I ask her whether she would ask her advisers to consider introducing a regulation requiring mudguards on every axle?

BARONESS BIRK

I certainly will, my Lords.