§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport to what extent the chevron marking of motorways for safety purposes is being considered for the road network as a whole; and whether road safety research carried out by other European countries is made available across the EC.
§ Mr. ChopeWe are currently experimenting with chevron markings on motorways. That trial is due to end in the summer and we shall then consider the research report. The trial is based on French work, the results of which was made available to us prior to our own trials. Further work was considered necessary to see if the chevrons would be successful in different conditions.
There is no formal arrangement for the transfer of road safety research results within the EC on such matters, but information is readily shared in practice.
§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his policy on the use of motorway warning lights in fog.
§ Mr. ChopeThe matrix signs that are installed on most of the motorway network can indicate temporary speed restrictions and lane closures. They are activated by the police. The advice given to all police forces by the Association of Chief Police Officers is that they should be used only for hazards which are not readily apparent to drivers, and not for generally adverse weather conditions. I am arranging to discuss this policy with the association.
Fog detectors linked automatically to warning signs that display the legend "fog" are under evaluation on the M25. The lessons to be learned from this trial will be applied to other parts of the motorway network.
§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to vary speed limits on motorways in adverse weather conditions; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. ChopeProvision is being made in the Road Traffic Bill for the introduction of mandatory variable speed limits. Once the necessary signal technology has been developed and tested this will offer the potential for signing mandatory lower speed limits on motorways in adverse weather conditions as well as in other circumstances.
§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to modernise or improve the warning light systems on Britain's motorways.
§ Mr. ChopeA new signalling system combining an improved matrix signal with a supporting variable message sign is being installed on the south-west quadrant of the M25 during the next 12 months. This advanced signalling system will inform drivers of the nature of problems before they are encountered. It is planned that these signs will become automatically operated to give the earliest possible warning of problems or delays.
§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the motorway warning light system which operates in Holland; and how this compares with the British system.
§ Mr. ChopeOfficials of the Department have visited the Netherlands and had discussions about signaling
Analysis of empty property total Total stock Empty Being sold Repair/ relet in progress Awaiting demolition Awaiting decision South Eastern 271 154 24 90 1 39 South Western 98 23 17 3 1 2 West Midlands 143 48 12 24 4 8 North Western 385 50 16 18 8 8 Northern 29 1 0 1 0 0 Yorkshire and Humberside 55 12 8 2 0 2 East Midlands 43 16 9 3 0 4 Eastern 362 60 9 0 43 8 London 953 128 50 11 35 32 TOTAL 2,339 492 145 152 92 103