§ Mr. Andrew HargreavesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department will publish a list of all major motorway and trunk road lane closures in402W England, Scotland and Wales expected over the coming seven-week holiday period; and what measures his Department is taking to publish these closures and to ensure that holiday traffic is suitably directed towards other routes.
§ Mr. ChopeThe Department issues a fortnightly bulletin listing lane closures on motorways which also includes certain all-purpose trunk roads. This information is disseminated by national and local media, including Ceefax and Oracle, and the motoring associations. It is also displayed on TV monitors at some motorway service areas. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the latest bulletin.
Every effort is made to avoid maintenance work on routes used by holiday traffic in peak periods. Where this is unavoidable, suitable diversions are signed when available. Where practicable, closures are lifted during bank holidays.
I understand that similar procedures are operated in Scotland and Wales.