HC Deb 02 August 1971 vol 822 cc226-7W
Sir Clive Bossom

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the mileage of new motorways on which crash barriers will not be installed before the motorways are opened, the additional cost which would have to be incurred to provide the barriers before the motorways are opened, and the estimated cost of providing the barriers at later dates.

Mr. Graham Page

Upon the principle of the busiest first, there is, within the programme of 1,000 miles of motorway barriers by 1975, a distance of about 100 miles of motorway where barriers are not being installed before opening. Only another 125 miles of motorway will be opened without barriers and will not be so equipped under the present programme.

The estimated cost of installation before opening averages about £11,000 per mile. The cost of providing barriers subsequent to opening has been found to be about the same.

Mr. Jopling

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment after what date no new stretches of motorway will be opened without provisions for central anti-crash barriers.

Mr. Graham Page

1,079 miles of motorway are being equipped with central reserve safety barrier under the programme announced in August, 1970 and due for completion in 1975. Arrangements after that date are being reviewed and an announcement will be made in due course.