§ Sir Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the overall length and width of the gap in the central island between the two carriageways of the A11 bypass now under construction south-west of Barton Mills roundabout; and by what numbers of feet this exceeds that of the maximum permitted length of heavy goods vehicles including those with trailers.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy hon. Friend probably refers to the Tuddenham road junction, about which we have corresponded. The width of the central reserve is 10 metres. The junction has been for the predicted traffic demand, including a small number of HGVs. HGVs with trailers have a normal statutory maximum length of 18 metres. Articulated HGVs are normally limited to 15.5 metres and rigid lorries to 11 metres. Tuddenham road itself is unsuitable for such vehicles. There is an appropriate signed alternative route for through traffic involving the A1101 from Bury St. Edmunds, which joins the A11 at the nearby Five Ways roundabout. The Department will be discussing with the Suffolk county council the possibility of measures to restrain the use of Tuddenham road by non-local heavy goods traffic.