§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will investigate the traffic disruption on the A12 resulting from the laying of the experimental Post Office tube between Martlesham and Wickham Market; why this route adjacent to an overloaded road was chosen; what alternatives were considered; and whether he will make a statement on the prospects for alleviating the present delays.
§ Mr. SpeedThe interference with traffic flow resulting from the Post Office's work on trunk road A12 is unavoidable. A route for the waveguide tube southwards from Martlesham was considered but it was less suitable for the experiment and presented serious engineering difficulties, and the Post Office was unable to accept it. The application and installation is governed by the terms of the Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950.
I regret the delay to traffic on the A12 but the Post Office is observing requirements to keep it to a minimum. The works are expected to be complete at the end of February.