§ Mr. Ripponasked the Minister of Transport what publicity his Department is giving to the reduction in standards of winter maintenance of trunk roads in Northumberland in order to give warning to motorists of the greater hazards they are likely to encounter in bad weather conditions.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have no intention of reducing road safety standards this winter; snow and ice will be cleared as quickly as possible, as in previous years. The Department will be making full use of both local and national media to keep motorists informed about road conditions.
§ Mr. Ripponasked the Minister of Transport what contingency plans are being prepared to provide for road clearance on Northumberland trunk roads, and particularly the A696/A68 north of Ponteland to the county boundary, in the event of severe winter conditions; and whether, and, if so, in what circumstances, salting and other work can be carried on at night or at weekends.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe Department's regional office is having discussions with Northumberland county council about how to make the best use of resources available for winter maintenance of trunk roads. These should he adequate to achieve a satisfactory level of road safety and there is no question of abandoning that objective.