§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Transport how much rent is charged to Radio Hallam for its advertising signs on the M1 north and south of Sheffield.
§ Mrs. ChalkerNo rent is being charged for these signs whose purpose is to evaluate the role of the local radio station as a means of providing drivers with up-to-date travel information. The broadcasting authorities are, however, contributing to the costs of the experiments.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Transport why travel news and Radio Hallam signs are erected in immediate proximity to each other on the M1 with the same wavelengths; how many have been erected; and what is the cost of erection and maintenance.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe local radio signs on the M1 and M18 are part of an experiment to see how many drivers tune in to local stations for travel news and how useful they find the information.
The signs are erected in pairs to make it easier for drivers to absorb the information.
Eighteen Radio Hallam signs have been erected on the southbound carriageways of M1 and M18. The cost of their installation is estimated at £16,900. No costs are expected for the duration of the experiment.
In addition, 16 BBC Radio Sheffield signs have been erected on the northbound carriageways of M1 and M18 at a cost of £15,100.