HC Deb 08 November 1961 vol 648 cc51-2W
Mr. Russell

asked the Minister of Transport if he will have a railing or wall built along the centre strip of motorways, possibly combined with an anti-dazzle fence, to prevent cars out of control from crossing it and endangering traffic on the opposite carriageway.

Mr. Marples

I do not consider that the provision of a crash barrier in the central reservation of motorways would be justified at present. The benefit of such a barrier would lie in preventing collisions with vehicles on the opposing carriageway. There have, in fact, been very few such accidents. During the first year of operation of M.l two people were killed in accidents of this type. Study of accidents on M.l and experience of crash barriers abroad indicate that a central barrier might well cause more accidents than it prevented although they might not be of such a serious character.