HL Deb 11 March 1982 vol 428 cc304-6

3.11 p.m.

Viscount Hanworth

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why there are so many two-lane restrictions on the M.1 motorway between London and Birmingham, bearing in mind that the carriageway is in good condition and that no work is taking place on much of the closed areas.

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, the M.1, one of our oldest motorways and in use for over 20 years, now needs extensive repairs. Both major structural repairs and routine maintenance operations are in hand, all of which require lane closures. The reason for these closures, which are necessary to protect the travelling public and workmen as well as to allow work to proceed, may not always be apparent to the passing motorist. However, they are most necessary for reasons of safety.

Viscount Hanworth

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply, may I apologise for the short notice of this Question. It was put down only on Monday and this was the slot that was allocated to me. May I ask the Minister whether he has really looked into this problem? There are miles and miles which are coned off, no work is proceeding, and the carriageway is in perfect condition. Would the noble Earl not think that all that has been done is to let a contract without any consideration whatsoever for the motorist, so that as soon as the contract is let the whole of the area is coned off, and that this really is intolerable and has been done for administrative convenience without any thought whatsoever for the motorist?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, the Government indeed do consider this very deeply. I should like to refer the noble Viscount to a Question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Beswick, in this House as recently as 9th February when we talked about the maintenance work then, and I note that there were some nine supplementaries on that occasion. The Government are always striving to reduce delays and accidents at repair sites. This year some new measures are being introduced on the M.1. For example, improved crossover arrangements, shorter working lengths, and shorter contract periods, all aimed to help the motorist.

Lord Paget of Northampton

My Lords, on another angle of this question, is the Minister aware that, having used this road since its opening, one owes a certain gratitude for over 20 years of using the safest road in the world from the point of view of traffic accidents?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for those remarks. I am sure the noble Lord will equally recall that it was only meant to last for 20 years.

Lord Mowbray and Stourton

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that, having last week twice gone up and down the sister road—the sister road being the A.1—I was most impressed that in no one place was there more than one lane closed, and in no one place was the speed under 40 miles an hour, and I was impressed at the efficiency of the Ministry of Transport?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I shall certainly bring my noble friend's remarks to my right honourable friend's attention.

Viscount Hanworth

My Lords, may I finally ask the Minister whether he would seriously look into the position as it stands today, bearing in mind that I came down the road on Monday and that nothing that he has said today satisfies me as a true explanation? Could the noble Earl look into what is in fact happening at the present time?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I have actually looked at the maps and seen the work projected over the next few years, and seen the great care with which the Ministry and their officials have looked into this subject. If I can show the noble Viscount anything which will persuade him of the great interest we take, I shall willingly do so.