§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of the M25 are currently lit, whether he has any plans to light the remaining stages, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThere is now approximately 40 miles of road lighting on the 100 miles of M25 motorway including an allowance for isolated lit junctions. I have no present plans to light the remaining stages, but will keep this under review.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many junctions on the M25 are lit, and whether he has any plans to light the remaining junctions.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe following junctions on the M25 are lit: junctions 2, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31.
In addition, I plan to light junctions 6 and 11. Junctions 21 and 21A will also be lit when this section of the motorway is opened.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Transport what warning systems, lights and fog detection systems are in use on the M25, where not in use, what plans there are to bring them into use, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMatrix speed warning signals are in use on the M25 at these locations: between junctions 9A and 10, on the northern approaches to the Dartford tunnel, and
186W
Scheme Projected Completion Date Is Lighting so be provided? A1(M) Roestock-Stanborough Winter 1987 Partly A6(M) Stockport North/South BP 1992 Yes M3 Bar End—Bassett 1989 Partly M4 Widening, M25—Airport Spur Autumn 1985 Yes M5 Widening, Rashwood Catshill Summer 1987 Yes M5 Widening, Warndon—Rashwood Spring 1988 Yes M5 Widening between junction 6 and 8 Not yet programmed Not yet decided M5/M42 Junction, southern turn Winter 1987 Yes M5/M42 Catshill—Lydiate Ash 1990 Not yet decided M20 Maidstone—Ashford 1990 Not yet decided M25 Airport Spur—M4 Autumn 1985 Yes M25 Swanley—Sevenoaks Summer 1986 No M25 Micklefield Green—South Mimms Autumn 1986 Partly M27 Swaythling link Winter 1987 Partly M40 Otmoor section 1991 No M30 Warwick section 1990 Not yet decided M40 Gaydon section 1990 Not yet decided between junctions 25 and 27, which includes the Holmesdale and Bell Common tunnels. Elsewhere, flashing amber lights at the roadside are provided. These will be replaced by matrix signals.
A fog detection system is in use between junctions 9A and 10—the Mole Valley section of the motorway.
No other warning systems are in use although closed circuit television is used on sections of the motorway to monitor traffic.
Automatic incident detection is being provided during 1986–87 in the area of the Holmesdale and Bell Common tunnels. Thereafter, consideration will be given to extend this facility to the approaches to the Dartford tunnel.
I am considering what more may need to be done about fog.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are to light the remaining stages of the M1, and if he will make a statement on the anticipated cost in providing new lighting systems.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI have nothing further to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 12 December 1984. [Official Report, Vol. 69, c. 526 and 527].