§ 8. Mrs. Angela KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to assess the effect of widening the M1 on traffic on the surrounding road network.
§ Dr. MawhinneyAll my Department's road scheme proposals are supported at public inquiry by assessments of traffic levels on the roads affected by the scheme. Following the publication of the report of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment, these will now take account, where necessary, of induced traffic.
§ Mrs. KnightMy right hon. Friend will know that whenever motorway widening is proposed, fierce dispute is never far behind. Is he aware that the three issues of particular concern in Erewash relating to the M1 widening are the need for sound barriers, the pressure of traffic on junction 25 and the village of Sandiacre and the need to connect properly the town of Ilkeston to the M1? Will my right hon. Friend's proposals take those three matters into account?
§ Dr. MawhinneyI am aware of those issues, due to the diligence of my hon. Friend. As part of the scheme to shield those living in Long Eaton, Sandiacre, Stapleford and Trowell, 3 m to 4 m high noise fences and mounds are proposed. I hope that that is of assistance to my hon. Friend. Further improvements to the scheme are difficult because it is hemmed in by housing. It would be better to service Stanton from new local authority links at junction 26. I hope that that will be of some encouragement to my hon. Friend.
Mr. William O'BrienIn considering the impact of the widening of the M1 on trunk roads and urban roads, will the Secretary of State also consider the impact of the 9 widening of the A1 and the M62 in west Yorkshire, not only on the traffic on minor roads but on the environment of schools and properties adjacent to the roadways?
§ Dr. MawhinneyYes, because the effects on all of the roads associated with a particular scheme are taken into account before judgments are made. The hon. Gentleman makes a fair point.
§ Mr. RobathanMy right hon. Friend will know that the M1 passes through my constituency, and particularly through the village of Leicester Forest East. Is he aware of the strong opposition among residents of Leicester Forest East and Kirby Muxloe to the widening of the M1, and in particular to the possibility that the M1 will be widened by another lane? Is he aware of the concern there is about the impact that that will have on roads in the area?
§ Dr. MawhinneyI am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing that concern to my attention. I undertake to bear it in mind as we discuss the matters further.