§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of motorways in England have illuminated advance warning systems.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAll of the motorways in England have advance warning systems: 90 per cent. take the form of an illuminated matrix signal, giving the recommended action drivers should take; the remainder, which are flashing amber lights, give warning of a hazard ahead.
§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department is satisfied with the operation of illuminated advance warning systems on motorways.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe operation of warning systems is a matter for individual police forces.
The Department continually seeks to improve the operation of its warning systems and on 50 miles of the M1 43W is enhancing them to detect slow moving or stationary traffic, alert the police control centres and automatically switch on more closely spaced matrix signals.
§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department proposes to extend the provision of illuminated advance warning systems on motorways in England.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyYes. The Department proposes to extend the matrix type of warning signal, displaying the recommended action that drivers should take, to all motorways in England.