§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales at what time the 30 mph and 60 mph speed limits were switched on on the illuminated maximum speed indicators on the westbound carriageway of the M4 motorway between junction 48 and the Pont Abraham services on the evening of Friday 19 April; at what time they were switched off; and what was the nature of the problem which necessitated the activation of the speed limits.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsSouth Wales police are responsible for the operation of the matrix signalling system in the area involved.
540WTheir records show that the system was activated once on Friday 19 April at 21.02 hours due to a vehicle (car) fire on the hard shoulder of the westbound carriageway. The fire service extinguished the fire, and the police switched off the matrix system at 21.33 hours.
It is police policy in such situations to activate 60 mph signs in advance of the incident and 30 mph signs closer to the scene.