§ Mr. Penhaligonasked the Minister of Transport what standards he employs to decide whether a road should be a trunk road or not; in particular, how he defines through traffic for these purposes; and 197W what guidance his Department gives inspectors at inquiries under section 7 and 11 of the Highways Act 1959 in relation to the application of those standards.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe essential feature of a trunk road is that it should form part of the national system of routes for through traffic. There are no set standards, nor a formal definition of through traffic. The notes for guidance of inspectors at inquiries into new trunk road proposals do, however, include certain general guidance on the objectives of the trunk road programme; a copy of the notes is available in the Library of the House.
Normally, however, such an inquiry is concerned primarily with whether or not the new scheme is needed and appropriate, rather than with its precise status. If the hon. Member has any particular problem in mind, I shall be glad to try to help him further.