§ Mr. Joplingasked the Secretary of State for Transport why the surface of the A1 road is especially bumpy in the sections around Eaton Socon and between Markham Moor roundabout and the river Trent; what assessment he has made of the implications for the road construction and maintenance programme of this; and who were the contractors concerned in constructing these surfaces.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe 20km section of A1 between Markham Moor roundabout and the river Trent was constructed in the mid 1960s and the Eaton Socon bypass opened in 1971. They were both built by R. McGregor and Sons, now part of Norwest Hoist Civil Engineering Ltd.
The present condition of the carriageways does not require reconstruction or overlay.
A series of small repairs was started in 1984 to the Nottinghamshire section to extend the life of the pavement. They have resulted in some reductions in the riding quality. The repair contracts, which will be completed by 1989, are being carried out by Nottinghamshire county council direct labour organisation, Clugston Construction Ltd., Norwest Hoist Civil Engineering Ltd. and Rush and Tompkins Ltd. There are no plans for any substantial maintenance at Eaton Socon.
§ Mr. Joplingasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many new roundabouts have been interposed on the A1 road in the last 10 years; how many have been improved; and if he will make it his policy that no further new ones will be interposed in the future.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyIn the last 10 years, eight new roundabouts have been interposed on the A I in England, 13 have been removed and we have proposals in the programme to remove a further five.
We have no plans at present to install additional roundabouts on the A1
Traffic flows vary greatly along the length of the Al. In future improvement, it may be concluded that roundabouts are appropriate for particular junctions in the light of traffic volumes and other aspects of the local situation.