§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Transport if, when authorising future motorways, he will ensure that there are not less than three lanes in each carriageway.
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§ Mr. MarplesThe number of lanes provided depends on the estimated volume of traffic that will use the motorways. Three-lane carriageways will be provided in all cases where this is clearly justified by traffic needs. Where, however, the estimated traffic on the motorway is likely for many years ahead to be within the design capacity of a dual two-lane road, only two lanes will be provided in each carriageway. It would be wasteful to spend large sums now on the provision of road capacity that will not be required for a very long time, if at all.