§ Mr. Kershawasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what instructions he has issued regarding the skid resistance qualities which should be designed into roadways; what experiments he has authorised; and what materials are being tested.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe Specification for Road and Bridge Works and associated Notes for Guidance lay down qualities of stone and binder and methods of construction to be used for roads to ensure satisfactory skid resistance. A number of experiments have been made, or are in progress, to examine a wide range of suitable road materials. These include highly non-skid materials such as calcined bauxite/epoxy resin, which has proved successful in reducing skidding accidents at junctions. Any promising new material is checked against conventional materials to assess its relative performance. Some 170 sections of different materials are at present under observation, and a further 40 sections are being laid.