Traffic Flow Predictions: Inputs (Hansard, 7 March 1995)

§ Viscount Goschen:

In designing trunk road schemes, the Highways Agency take these matters into account where they are relevant and material. I have asked the Chief Executive; Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my noble friend.

Letter to the Earl of Munster from the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, dated 7 March 1995

As you know, Viscount Goschen has asked me to reply to your parliamentary Question asking Her Majesty's Government whether the Highways Agency, when preparing "design year" traffic flow predictions and promoting projects, should take into account:-(a) the principal measure for meeting government targets for stabilising CO₂ emissions; (b) the impact of road pricing schemes; and (c) the potential for traffic management.

(a) National road traffic forecasts are used for predicting possible design year flows. These forecasts cover a range of possible growth in traffic which encompasses the predicted impact of proposed annual increases in fuel prices of 5 per cent. above inflation.
(b) The previous Secretary of State for Transport announced (in December 1993) that changes would not be made to national road traffic forecasts to take into account the assumed impact of motorway tolling and other road pricing schemes, until factors that would have a major impact on the traffic effect of these policies had been more clearly established. If, however, a situation should arise where a local pricing scheme, or some other aspect of road pricing, seemed likely to be crucial for the proper assessment of a trunk road scheme, sensitivity testing might be a possible solution.
(c) In developing schemes, the potential for introducing traffic management to form part of the solution to local problems should be considered whenever this may be appropriate.