§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the number of fatalities and personal injuries, respectively, occurring in road accidents on the Glasgow-Carlisle road near Hart-hope Viaduct in each of the past four years.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe following are the figures:
CASUALTIES IN ROAD ACCIDENTS ON THE GLASGOW-CARLISLE ROAD WITHIN HALF-MILE OF HARTHOPE VIADUCT Year Deaths Injuries 1952 … 1 2 1953 … — — 1954 … — 3 1955 (to 5th December) … 3* 7 *These three deaths occurred in a single accident.
§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that a fatal accident occurred recently on the Glasgow-Carlisle road near Harthope Viaduct; and whether he will consider making improvements to the dangerous S-bend at this point.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am aware of this regrettable accident and I am arranging to have the warning signs and carriageway markings improved. Although it is not apparent that the accident was due to skidding, I am also arranging to have the skidding resistance of the road surface measured by the Road Research Laboratory. The programme of road works agreed with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State provides during the next few years for considerable works along this road at an estimated cost of over £3 million. It has not been possible, however, to include in this short-term programme the road diversion which will eventually be provided near Harthope Viaduct, because there are so many other lengths of this road where the need for substantial improvement is more urgent.