§ Sir Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Transport for how many days traffic along the A45 in the vicinity of Bury St. Edmunds has been subject to delays as a result of the closure of various lanes; how many yards of each carriageway have been or are now affected; what is the value of the work that so far has been carried out and that still remains to be done; how many man-hours have been spent in each week since this contract was let; and why so many red and white cones are frequently scattered across the highway.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyCurrent maintenance work on this stretch of the A45 has resulted in lane or carriageway closures on 40 days so far. These have not always involved significant delays for traffic. The total length of carriageway affected by the contract is 8 km (8,720 yds) but the maximum length affected at any one time has been 2 km (2,180 yds). The total cost is £160,000, of which £90,000 remains to be spent before the contract ends in September. The work has involved approximately 450 man-hours per week. Scattering of traffic cones is generally caused by drivers straying from their lanes. The contractor repositions displaced cones on a regular basis.