HC Deb 24 July 1969 vol 787 cc442-3W
Mr. Robert Howarth

asked the Minister of Transport if he will obtain a report of the accident on the M1 on 21st June when an articulated lorry crossed the central reservation and struck a car travelling south, causing the deaths of a mother and her young son from Horwich in Lancashire.

Mr. Carmichael

I am aware of the circumstances of this accident but a study of individual cases is unlikely to throw further light on this particular type of accident. A Departmental Working Party is, however, investigating the whole question of accidents involving the central reserve of motorways.

Mr. Robert Howarth

asked the Minister of Transport what action he proposes to take following the recommendation of the jury of an inquest held at Hemel Hempstead on 15th July, on the deaths of a mother and her young son killed on the M1 that central crash barriers should be

1968–69 1969–70 1970–71
£m. £m. £m.
From Central Fund From Local Authority Funds Total From Central Fund From Local Authority Funds Total From Central Fund From Local Authority Funds Total
New Construction and Improvement:
Trunk … 128 — 128 165 — 165 189 — 189
Principal … 82 41 123 83 41 124 90 42 132
Non Principal … 2 36 38 1 35 36 — 40 40
212 77 289 250 76 325 279 82 361
Maintenance:
Trunk … 15 — 15 16 — 16 17 — 17
Principal … 1 25 26 — 25 25 — 27 27
Non Principal … 1 84 85 — 82 82 — 90 90
17 109 126 16 107 123 17 117 134
Combined Total … 415 448 495

Final figures for 1968–69 will not be available until later this year.

Appendix 2 of "Roads in England" sets out the value of work done on roads.

The figures quoted are estimates of expenditure in the years concerned and relate to England only. They are consistent with those used in the calculation of public expenditure on roads and lighting in Cmnd. 3936, except that for 1968–69 more up to date figures are available.

The figures quoted do not include expenditure on car parks, lighting, administration and other miscellaneous items included in the figures in the White Paper. Figures for Scotland and Wales are the responsibility of their respective Secretaries of State.