§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Transport what additional action he is taking to reduce accidents by vehicles passing through roadworks on the motorway network.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Department is discussing with the police the use of mandatory speed limits at contraflow sites.
We are about to start a trial of a new system of closer spaced matrix signals, which automatically detects stationary or slow moving traffic, on a 50-mile stretch of the M1.
We are evaluating the video monitoring of major roadworks to allow earlier detection and warning of breakdowns and accidents.
The Transport and Road Research Laboratory has recently commissioned a study of accidents at contraflows.
We shall implement further improvements in the design of contraflow systems in the light of the findings of this study.