§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost of constructing police observation ramps on the M1 motorway; what plans he has for other motorways; and if he is satisfield that this is the most effective use of limited resources at the present time.
§ Dr. Gilbert56 police observation platforms are to be constructed on the M1 at a cost of about £1,500 for each platform. They will also be provided on other motorways at intervals of between 8 and 16 kilometres, so that by 1978 there will be some 300 of them covering the whole motorway system. Suggestions that such platforms be constructed were first considered in the early 1960s; and after a series of experiments beginning in 1969, their provision was approved in 1974. I am satisfied that benefits in terms of reduced police operating costs and increased road safety fully justify the provision of these platforms at this time.