§ Sir W. Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Transport what are the traffic and safety reasons for providing hard shoulders on motorways and lay-bys on high standard dual-carriageway all-purpose roads.
§ Mr. Tom FraserHard shoulders are provided on motorways to enable drivers to leave the carriageway clear even when44W stopping in an emergency. Stationary vehicles would be dangerous on motorways that are designed for an uninterrupted flow of high speed motor traffic while pedestrians, cyclists, animals and other slow moving traffic are excluded. On all-purpose roads drivers must allow for pedestrians and other slow traffic and lay-bys are provided at regular intervals for rest and refreshment off the carriageway. Standards of design on these roads are under review.