§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he intends to take to improve road conditions on the section of the M1 between the M25 and 15 miles north of Luton.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyOn the M1 itself a scheme is being prepared to instal climbing lanes in both directions from junction 9. An experimental automatic incident detection system has also been installed on the northbound carriageway of the M1 from Bedfordshire to Northamptonshire. In conjunction with more frequent matrix signals, this will give motorists better warning of slow-moving or stationary traffic ahead when incidents occur.
Improvements to alternative routes, including the extension of the M40 to Birmingham, are expected to attract some traffic away from the M1. We are, in our current review of the road programme, considering what further measures are necessary.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning congestion with particular reference to tailbacks being experienced during the early morning from the M25 to about 15 miles north of Luton; and if he will estimate the time lost to motorists in tailbacks on that section of the M1.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyFrom time to time members of the public write to us about congestion, usually as a result of an incident on the motorway. In our economic assessment of the need for improvement, account is taken of notional delays to vehicles. We do not systematically record information about the time actually lost in tailbacks.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the extent to which junction 8 on the M1 is operating satisfactorily.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe plan to study problems of queuing occurring on the northbound off-slip at junction 8. Temporary difficulties were experienced when the junction was closed to allow for the rebuilding of the A4147. The junction is now fully operational.