§ 25. Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what review he has undertaken of the relative contributions to road safety from(a) wire-rope and (b) solid motorway central barriers.
§ Mr. NorrisThe wire rope safety fence and the solid motorway central barrier—that is, the vertical concrete safety barrier—have performed satisfactorily, both in trial testing and in-service, contributing to the overall safety of road users.
No specific comparative review of the two systems has been carried out as the two designs are not equivalent alternatives in total performance terms. The deployment of any type of vehicle restraint system is dependent on the requirements and constraints of the particular site, and this may also include consideration of prevailing weather and environmental conditions. The Highways Agency, however, has a continuing commitment to keep their performance under review.