§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about methods and materials used in Europe and the United States of America for the construction of barriers to prevent cross-over accidents on motorways and other roads; what information he has as to their efficiency in terms of the trend in the number of cross-over accidents in those countries; if any such method or materials are currently being considered for introduction in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyInformation available indicates that most European countries make extensive use of steel safety fences of a similar design and construction to those used on roads in this country. A few European countries have installed lengths of concrete safety barriers on some roads. No statistical information is readily available on the efficiency of safety fences or barriers in other European countries in preventing crossover accidents. The extensive use of steel safety fences implies confidence in their performance.
Extensive use is made of concrete barriers in the United States of America, where they are found to be reasonably successful in preventing crossover accidents for the types and speeds of vehicles used in that country. In England concrete barriers are permitted on roads with speed limits up to 50 mph. The Department has a programme of research and development on safety fences and barriers. There are no plans at present to introduce any major changes to their design or construction. I will write to the hon. Member to give more detailed information on concrete barriers.
§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Transport what sums have been spent by the transport road research laboratory on investigating concrete safety barriers in the past 12 months; and what conclusions have been drawn as to the scope for preventing cross-over accidents on British motorways and trunk roads.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley£150,000 was spent on an investigation, including a series of full-scale impact tests, completed in May 1985. Nothing has been spent in the past 12 months. Some aspects of performance were unsatisfactory and potential design improvements were identified. An estimated £70,000 will be spent on tests of a modified barrier design, beginning this month. I shall write to the hon. Member with details of the conclusions drawn from tests to date.