HC Deb 21 January 1971 vol 809 cc313-4W
44 and 45. Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he is satisfied with the effectiveness of the present arrangements for the emergency closing of the M1 motorway in dense fog or after serious accidents; and if he will make a statement;

(2) whether he will take steps to ensure that fog warning signs on the M1 motorway are only displayed when fog is actually present or imminent and that they are not displayed after all fog has dispersed, so that motorists may be thereby encouraged to pay more attention to the warnings when they are displayed.

Mr. Sharples

With the equipment at present available on most of the M1 motorway, there are practical difficulties for the police in putting on or off the signs quickly that give warning of fog or other hazards, and both closing and opening a motorway creates serious problems for them. Chief officers of police, however, make the most effective arrangements possible. They are well aware of the importance of switching signs off as soon as they cease to be needed.