§ Mr. RookerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement regarding the sealing off of part of the Corley service station area on the M6 motorway on Thursday 23 March in connection with a lorry carrying hazardous materials, and what information he has as to what consideration had been given to escort provision for this load.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyA lorry carrying explosives broke down on the M6 and was towed to the nearest service area for replacement of an alternator before continuing its journey. It was isolated from other vehicles and a fire engine was called to stand by as a precautionary measure.
For the type and quantity of material involved an escort was not required. Pre-arranged routes have to be agreed with the police and followed where a vehicle carries large quantities of certain types of explosive material.