asked the Minister of Transport why there is a difference in the appearance of the hard shoulder on the Doncaster motorway by-pass in the West Riding of Yorkshire and in Nottinghamshire; and if he will take steps to avoid unnecessary changes in future road construction, in view of the need to preserve uniformity in factors likely to affect driver behaviour.

The parts of the bypass lying in the West Riding of Yorkshire and in Nottinghamshire were built under separate contracts, and the difference in the appearance of the hard shoulders is due to the use of different materials for the surface chippings. As the hard shoulders are clearly distinguishable from the main carriageway on both sections, I do not consider this difference of appearance is likely to confuse drivers in any way.