§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy with respect to laying down of rumble strips on trunk roads to curb excessive traffic speed; and what advice he gives to local authorities.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Department seeks to facilitate the safe and free flow of traffic on trunk roads. At places with a history of accidents caused by excessive speeds, rumble strips can be an effective measure, used either on their own or in combination with other measures. In or near built-up areas, the increased traffic noise which rumble strips generate has to be taken into account in devising appropriate measures.
Similar considerations apply to local authority roads. Advice to local authorities is published in "Roads and Traffic in Urban Areas" (HMSO) and DTp circular Roads 17/78, together with departmental standard TD 6/79, dealing with transverse yellow bar markings at roundabouts.