HC Deb 19 December 1986 vol 107 c831W
Mr. Coombs

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the study of safety barrier criteria for all-purpose dual carriageway roads referred to in his answer to a question by the hon. Member for Suffolk, Central, (Mr. Lord) Official Report, column 503, 2 December.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

A copy of the consultants' report "Safety Fence Criteria for All-purpose Dual Carriageway Roads" prepared for the Transport and Road Research Laboratory was placed in the House of Commons Library today. It will be more widely published in due course by the laboratory.

Mr. Norman Hogg

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans exist to provide all dual carriageway trunk roads with central reservation crash barriers.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

On Wednesday 17 December at column 537 I announced that safety fencing will be provided on all new and existing dual carriageway trunk roads where it can be shown that this is justified by the traffic using the particular road.

Mr. Norman Hogg

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of dual carriageway trunk roads have central reservation crash barriers.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Approximately 10 per cent.

Mr. Norman Hogg

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans exist to provide central reservation crash barriers on all motorways; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what percentage of the motorway network in England and Wales includes central reservation crash barriers.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Since 1971 all new motorways in England have been provided with central reserve safety fencing. Approximately 98 per cent. of existing motorways in England already have these fences.

In view of my decision given in Official Report 17 December 1986 at column 537 to provide central reserve safety fencing on dual carriageways, I am reviewing the traffic flows on motorways without fencing to assess if it can be justified on these roads.

Responsibility for central reserve safety fencing on motorways in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.