§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state his policy for allowing direct access to motorways.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyOur policy on motorways is against allowing direct access to the main carriageway or slip roads from any development other than service areas and related facilities. This was set out in my answer to a question from the the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) on 16 November 1987, at columns405–6.
Exceptions are made for motorway service areas on land owned by the Department and for maintenance depots. In addition, special consideration may be given to major transport infrastructure requirements, such as airports. Local planning authorities will be directed to refuse planning permission for unacceptable developments.
This policy recognises the importance of special roads as high-speed through routes and the heavy investment in them. It is essential, if they are to realise their design potential, that they should be kept free of accesses, apart from road junctions and the other exceptions stated. In this way, traffic flows and speeds may be maintained and the risk of accidents and interruptions to traffic flow minimised.