§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now take steps to introduce full lighting and fog detectors at the M1–M6 interchange junction 19.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThere are no immediate plans to light junction 19, which has a relatively good accident record, but the situation is under review.
There are also no plans to provide fog detection equipment at junction 19. As announced on 29 October, trials of differing designs of fog detection equipment will be carried out over this winter and next winter to decide which design best meets the Department's requirements. The new system will then be installed at the 30 fog prone sites on the M25 identified by the Meteorological Office. The work is due for completion in 1990. The effectiveness of the system will be monitored to determine whether it should be used on other motorways.
The ultimate responsibility for safety in fog rests with the drivers themselves.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will call for a report from the chief constable on the circumstances surrounding the accident on the southbound carriageway of the M1/M6 at junction 19 on Thursday 8 January.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyOfficials are in regular contact with the Leicestershire police at senior and operational level and will together consider what can be learned from the unfortunate series of accidents and if any steps can be taken to reduce the possibility of a repetition.