§ Baroness Macleod of BorveMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when the other three service stations on the M.25 will be completed.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)My Lords, subject to the outcome of public inquiries, it is hoped that service areas will be available at Thurrock, to the east, and Clacket Lane, to the south-east, by late 1989 or early 1990. I am unable to say at present when a fourth service area will be available.
§ Baroness Macleod of BorveMy Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that encouraging news. Is he aware that at certain times of the day and on certain parts of the M.25 there are very long delays caused by queues? Will the department consider putting notices on the exit junction boards saying how far away services can be obtained off the M.25?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I am aware that there are queues at certain times of day on certain sections of the M.25. It is our proposal that there should be four service stations at the four cardinal points of the motorway. As to putting notices on the exit junctions pointing the way to the nearest service station, I am not quite sure whether that would be possible. I shall look into it and let my noble friend know.
§ Baroness Macleod of BorveMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that that is done on other main roads? It would be an enormous convenience to people on the motorway.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I am aware that it is done on certain other main roads, including trunk roads. I shall have to look into the case of the motorway and write to my noble friend.