§ Mr. Gerald BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will outline his Department's policy on the provision of ribbed edgelines on motorways;
(2) what regional differences of policy exist in his Department on the provision of ribbed edgelines on motorways to reduce the number of accidents on motorway hard shoulders;
(3) what plans he has to introduce ribbed edgelines onto all motorways in the United Kingdom as standard carriageway markings.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Department has encouraged the use of ribbed edgemarkings on motorways since 1987 following experience earlier on. The extent of installation in each region is influenced by the need for replacement and maintenance of existing lining systems. We are shortly to offer advice to English regional offices which should encourage further installation of ribbed edgemarkings on motorways and appropriate all-purpose dual carriageway trunk roads.
It is our intention to include these markings in our consultation document on the traffic signs regulations and general directions, due to be circulated in the early autumn.
§ Mr. Gerald BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the success of experimental schemes to fit ribbed edgelines on motorways in reducing the number of accidents on motorway hard shoulders.
6WThe average percentage pass rates for the Driving Standards Agency regions for the last five years for which figures are available were:
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Transport and Road Research Laboratory is encouraged by the results of earlier experience and trials conducted so far. On the basis of the available evidence it is not possible to establish the likely balance of costs and benefits across the network as a whole. Conclusive research would take many years to yield results. Operationally these lines appear to offer benefits in terms of enhancing visibility and driver awareness of the edge of the carriageway. Both these factors help to reduce the risk of accidents.