§ Mr. PageTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research is currently being carried out into whisper concrete.
96W
Vehicles Year of first registration Other buses/coaches Minibuses Total Pre 1978 11,608 2,192 13,800 1978 3,357 521 3,878 1979 3,970 1,271 5,241 1980 4,592 2,113 6,705 1981 3,606 1,839 5,445 1982 3,224 2,546 5,770 1983 3,444 4,326 7,770 1984 3,274 5,021 8,295 1985 2,502 6,037 8,539 1986 2,631 7,527 10,158 1987 2,618 8,464 11,082
§ Mr. WattsThis question relates to operational matters of the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Laurie Haynes to Mr. Richard Page, dated 17 October 1994:
The Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning research into "whisper concrete".Whisper concrete is a new method for applying the texture to concrete roads. It was developed in Europe and involves exposing the aggregate in the surface to create a random texture capable of providing adequate skid resistance. Trials are underway on the M18 near Thorne and the A564 Foston Hatton Hilton Bypass. These are necessary because of the need to establish the practicality of constructing whisper concrete capable of meeting our skid resistance requirements which are higher than those in countries using whisper concrete.The Transport Research Laboratory is involved in research to monitor trials and to advise the Highways Agency on the construction and performance of this new surface.