§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the purpose of the new markings set out in the manner of a Vernier scale on the M6 motorway. [92502]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Bernard Jenkin, dated 23 July 1999:
The Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson, has asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Lawrie Haynes, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about markings on the M6 motorway. I am replying on Lawrie's behalf in his absence.The markings are put down on the carriageway when speed cameras are used on major maintenance schemes to help enforce a temporary 50mph speed limit. They enable the police to calculate traffic speeds that can then be used to back up recorded radar measurements.Although the markings in themselves do not represent a hazard and the police do not object to their remaining on the carriageway, we do try to remove them once the work has been completed. However, where the new type of low noise thin surfacing is used, it is difficult to remove the markings without damaging the surface. For future projects we are trying a new type of removable paint which when applied to the marking allows them to be washed away.If you need any further information, please contact the Agency's Route Manager, Howard Woolley at Sunley Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester M1 4BE—Tel: 0161 930 5680.