§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals his Department has for(a) new additional motorway service areas and (b) lighting additional sections of unlit motorways; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisle[holding answer 1 April 1993]: Under a new policy announced on 6 August 1992, it is now for the private sector rather than the Government to identify where there is a need for further motorway service areas and to secure their development. There are, however, sites on the M6, M11, M20, M25 and M40 (two) where planning clearance for motorway service area use was granted to the Department before the new policy was announced. We are continuing to pursue development of these sites jointly with the private sector.
Motorway lighting is provided, subject to environmental appraisal, where it can be justified on safety grounds, taking account of the savings in night-time accidents. When motorways are widened to four lanes it is general policy to install lighting. Over the period to 1996 I expect lighting to be installed on more than 90 miles of motorway.