§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average length of time in a 24-hour period that he calculated a police observation position will be manned for observation purposes; and what advantages police observation positions provide which could not be obtained from road bridges already crossing main roads and motorways.
§ Mr. MarksI have made no such calculation. Observation platforms provide a more effective means of traffic surveillance than from bridge crossings, give direct police access on to the motorway, and lead to substantially increased awareness of police presence by motorway users.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the initial cost of the construction of a motorway police observation position on completion, including the cost of surfacing and the provision of a safety barrier; and what is estimated to be its annual cost of maintenance.
§ Mr. MarksThe average initial cost of a motorway police observation platform is £1,500 at November 1975 prices; annual maintenance costs should be minimal.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, before agreeing to the establishment of police observation positions on motorways, what consultations he had with the RAC, the AA and, in particular, with accident prevention officials in relation to the siting of each police observation position and its potential when in use as a possible accident hazard.
83W
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has laid down a density of police observations positions on motorways and trunk roads; and, if so, what is the distance he recommends between such positions on (a) motorways and (b) other roads.
§ Mr. MarksPolice observation positions are being provided on motorways only, at recommended intervals of between eight and 16 kilometres on both carriageways.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what facilities he intends that a standard police observation position on motorways and other roads will possess in due course; and if each one will be equipped with rest rooms, telephones, and toilet and canteen facilities.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he entered into with either local planning authorities or the Countryside Commission before establishing police observation positions in areas of outstanding natural beauty.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he ascertains the views of a local planning authority before establishing a police observation position in an area scheduled as a conservation area.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is intended to equip police observation positions on motorways with TV surveillance cameras to monitor traffic flow and driver behaviour.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to equip police observation positions with first aid and radio facilities.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent he studied road traffic handling provisions in other left-hand drive countries before authorising the establishment of police observation positions on motorways and other main roads.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if breakdown, road rescue, RAC, AA and ambulance services may make use of a police observation position beside a motorway or other main road.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to establish a police observation position on any road with a B classification.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has established or intends to establish police observation positions on single carriageway roads, including, when constructed, the A1–M1 link road.
§ Mr. MarksNo police observation positions have been established on single carriageway roads. The layout of the A1–M1 link has not yet been decided.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent police establishment will have to be increased to permit the worthwhile use by police surveillance teams from police observation positions on motorways and other main roads; and what will be the annual extra expenditure involved.
§ Mr. MarksThe use of observation positions on motorways should improve the effectiveness of existing police forces and should not entail any increase in establishments or annual expenditure.
85W
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent the provision of police observation positions and the expenditure involved therein has been approved by Parliament.
§ Mr. MarksThe estimated expenditure involved in providing police observation platforms is contained in the Department's Roads Etc., England, Vote which is approved annually by Parliament.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total number of police observation positions constructed so far on roads other than motorways; and what further number of completions he is considering before 1980 on these roads and motorways.
§ Mr. MarksNone; police observation posts are being provided on motorways only. About 180 more should be completed before 1980.