§ Mr. Hardy asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will reduce the lengths of carriageways on the M1 motorway currently closed for repair and maintenance in the light of the fact that a large proportion of such lengths are not occupied by contractors.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:No. We seek to ensure that lengths of motorway are not coned off without good reason, although I realise that motorists often cannot see any apparent activity justifying closure. In particular, it has to be remembered that newly laid concrete and asphalt takes time to cure and that motorways cannot be used safely until the last small items of debris are removed. The lengths currently under repair will be reopened progressively during the next six weeks as contracts are completed.