§ Mr. Macfarlaneasked the Secretary of State for Transport if pursuant to his answer on 9 December, Official Report, column 325, he will publish the M25 traffic flow figures during peak hours between junctions 4 to 8 and junctions 24 to 30; and if he will make a statement concerning his Department's assessment that certain sections of the M25 do not justify three lanes.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe lastest available figures are set out in the table. They are for the sections between404W junctions. No figures are available for the flows through the junctions. This information is derived from automatic counting loops which are progressively being installed in all sections of the M25 and appropriate slip roads.
Junctions 4–8
- Peak hour flows in October 1986:
- Junction 4–5 5,255 vehicles per hour.
- Junction 5–6 6,960 vehicles per hour.
- Junction 6–7 7,944 vehicles per hour.
- Junction 7–8 counting loops not yet installed.
Junctions 24–30
- Peak hour flows, for 3–7 November 1986.
- Junction 24–25 counting loops not yet installed.
- Junction 25–26 7,647 vehicles per hour.
- Junction 26–27 7,403 vehicles per hour.
- Junction 27–30 counting loops not yet installed.
The M25 reduces to dual two-lanes only at those junctions specified in my reply of 9 December at columns 133–34. When they were designed it was expected that a substantial proportion of the traffic on adjacent sections would leave or join the motorway there, reducing the flow through the junction itself. Between the junction slip roads two lanes in each direction were considered sufficient. Integrating the nearside lane with the exit or entry slip road in such cases can enable traffic to flow more smoothly. There is no indication that inadequate provision has been made at these junctions.
Nevertheless, traffic is being closely monitored and, as I announced on 28 August, further studies will be undertaken as necessary.