HC Deb 24 July 1980 vol 989 cc390-1W
Mr. Pawsey

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the fact that coaches are able to travel at up to 95 mph, with consequent reduction in their road-holding capabilities, he will consider seeking to compel the fitting of a speed control device of a type manufactured by a company, the name of which has been supplied to him; and what evaluation has been made by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory of the efficiency and fuel saving capabilities of such devices.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The highest speed a coach is allowed to travel at is 70 mph. The road holding capabilities of modem coaches and the tyres with which they are fitted are adequate for speeds of this order. We do not believe that compulsory fitting of road speed control devices would be a cost-effective means of enforcing observance of the speed limit.

The Transport and Road Research Laboratory has not made a full evaluation of road speed governors, but it has studied the effect on fuel consumption of lowering maximum speeds for different types of vehicle. It hopes to publish a report later this year.

Mr. Pawsey

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider the introduction of a minimum safety standard for the bodies of coaches to ensure a higher degree of protection than currently exists.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Yes. Technical requirements aimed at ensuring minimum standards for the strength of coach bodies were considered at a recent meeting of the UN Economic Commission for Europe and are now being evaluated by the participating countries. I hope that we will be able to make a decision later this year.

Region (a) Trunk (b) Local £m. at outturn prices (c) Total road construction
South East … 96.6 70.6 167.2
South West … 17.0 15.9 32.9
East Anglia … 22.7 8.7 31.4
West Midlands … 12.1 28.9 41.0
East Midlands … 7.8 20.6 28.4
North West … 31.0 38.4 69.4
Yorkshire and Humberside … 37.1 30.3 67.4
Northern … 100 17.4 27.4
Total … 272.2* 230.8 503.0*
* Includes expenditure of £37.9 million on preparation and supervision costs which are not broken down by economic planning regions.