§ 6. Mr. Iremongerasked the Minister of Transport in what circumstances and for what purposes metal plates are inserted in road surfaces; and how many accidents involving motor cyclists and others have been caused by these objects.
§ Mr. Tom FraserUnder existing Regulations metal plates and studs may be used as part of a prescribed road marking. Following the recommendations of the Worboys Committee the new Traffic Signs Regulations, which are now before the House, will not permit the use of metal plates for road markings after certain dates. Metal studs may be used at parking bays and pedestrian crossings but if a more satisfactory material can be found I will consider amending the Regulations to discontinue the use of metal studs.
The national accident statistics do not distinguish cases in which plates or studs were a factor but the information we have indicates that they form a very small part of the total.