§ Mr. McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will estimate the cost of accidents at accident black spots each year; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will estimate the number of people (a) killed and (b) seriously injured at accident black spots each year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe information is not available.
Definitions of casualty sites vary widely between local authorities. Many authorities bring new locations currently not considered as bad into their lists as higher priority sites are progressively treated. An attempt to compile a list would be misleading.
Accident investigation and prevention schemes remain one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing casualties. Existing advice to local authorities on AIP work is now being supplemented by new guidance being prepared jointly with the Institution of Highways and Transportation on an areawide safety engineering.
§ Mr. McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the average cost of small improvement schemes at accident black spots; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe average cost of small improvement schemes at casualty sites is difficult to determine because local highway authority definitions vary. The best indication can be found in the Department's transport and road research laboratory report "Accident reduction and prevention programmes in Highway Authorities—1987".
From a sample of accident investigation and prevention schemes for which complete data were available, the authors found that the average cost per scheme is about £6,000 for non-trunk roads and £12,000 for trunk roads. 13W The distribution of scheme costs is wide and when all costed schemes are considered, almost 60 per cent. of urban and 75 per cent. of rural schemes cost less than £5,000.