§ Mr. Emeryasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what major improvements will be carried out and what are the estimated costs of these improvements which will be essential before the A35 can be designated as a primary route for heavy vehicles;
(2) if he will list, and indicate the estimated cost of, all improvements which it will be necessary to make to the road between Honiton and the Devon boundary before this part of the A35 can be designated as a primary route for heavy vehicles;
(3) how many objections have been received to plan to designate the A35 in the West Country a primary route for heavy vehicles.
§ Mr. HoramThe A35 is part of the primary route network. No decisions have been taken on the proposals in the Consultation Document "Outline of a Possible Lorry Route Policy" issued in January. Meanwhile, local authorities have been advised to use the motorway804W and primary route network as a framework for their own traffic and lorry plans. I understand that Devon County Council has put forward proposals for a county lorry route scheme which would include the A35. There are no specific standards laid down which roads included in county lorry plans must meet. My Department has received two letters expressing concern about this proposal.