§ Mr. David Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Transport what studies he has made of long-term strategic road requirements in Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire to accommodate heavy traffic travelling on north-south 289W routes; what conclusions he has reached; what part he envisages being played by the relevant county road authorities in reaching solutions; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Tom KingThe national road system embodies motorways, trunk roads and some principal roads which together form a primary route network capable of accommodating most vehicles and heavy traffic in particular. My Department is the highway authority for most motorways and all trunk roads, principal roads being the responsibility of the relevant county councils. We have made no special study of heavy traffic travelling north-south in Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire, but improvements to all the trunk roads in these Counties are programmed.
The western and southern sections of the M25 when completed, should give relief to local roads at present carrying heavy lorries in Surrey. We are currently consulting local authorities on a review of the primary route network, but responsibility for assessing the need for improvements on local roads, together with the implementation of local lorry control schemes rests firmly with the local highway authorities.