Mr. Rathboneasked the Minister of Transport what reports he has received of the efficiency and wearing qualities of the non-skid roughened surfaces as laid down in recent years in Westminster and many Metropolitan boroughs; whether he has made any recommendations about their extension to other streets where the tramway lines are being taken up or covered over; and, if not, will he consider doing so?
§ Mr. BurginI assume my hon. Friend refers to the surface treatment of worn rock asphalt carried out in Great George Street, Victoria Street, Kingsway, and other streets in the Metropolitan boroughs. Specific reports on these surfaces have not been received but my engineers are fully conversant with the results obtained.
In Memorandum 483 (Roads) all local authorities were informed that "the provision and maintenance of an adequate non-skid surface is of primary importance" and mention was made of the surfaces referred to by my hon. Friend in the reports of the Experimental Work on Highways (Technical) Committee for 1934 and subsequent years.
§ Mr. Burkeasked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the result of experimental work carried out at Harms-worth by his Department; and if he can add anything to the Report on Experimental Work on Roads with regard to the use of cotton fabric in road construction?
§ Mr. BurginThe results of research and experimental work are published in the2926W annual reports of the Experimental Work on Highways (Technical) Committee. I have not received any advice modifying the conclusion that the use of cotton cloth for road making in this country is of doubtful value.