§ Mr. MarlowTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will institute a service advising motorists of those times on each day of the week that they can drive in either direction between junctions 6 and 12 of the M1 without being subjected to delays through congestion; and if he will make it his policy to update this advice each time a significant roadwork is commenced or completed and in any event once every three months.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Department regards the provision of travel information as extremely important, and is considering with interested organisations ways of improving the reliability and availability of information through better arrangements for its collection, co-ordination and dissemination.
Congestion on the Ml between junctions 6 and 12 occurs more commonly during peak periods, of which the travelling public is generally aware. It can also arise for a number of unforeseen reasons, for example after an accident. The police, the media and motoring organisations provide an important service in disseminating news about congestion when it occurs.
278WInformation is already made widely available when roadworks are in prospect, in operation or about to finish. Only on Tuesday I gave a press conference about works due to commence on both the M1 and M25 in Hertfordshire. I am concerned that drivers should receive more information about delays and the reasons for them. With this in mind, new signs are being displayed in advance of roadworks advising drivers of the work being undertaken.