§ 30. Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the accident rates on the five-mile single carriageway stretch of the A1 road north 1200 of South Mimms are more than three times the averages for five-mile stretches on dual carriageway sections between London and Newcastle; and if he will expedite the dualling of that section.
Mr. Bob BrownI am aware that the accident rate on this heavily-used single carriageway section of A1 is greater than on dual-carriageway sections of the road.
We intend to publish draft proposals later this year for a dual-carriageway road to be built to motorway standards from South Mimms to Hatfield.
§ Sir R. RussellThat answer, as far as it goes, is welcome, but will the hon. Gentleman say what is the cause of the delay in dualling this road, as the land is already available alongside the existing roadway?
Mr. BrownThe delay was largely caused by a comprehensive traffic survey of the North-West London area which has only recently been completed. Progress on the schemes in this area has been delayed by up to 12 months pending this information.