HC Deb 18 April 1996 vol 275 cc560-2W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to de-trunk the A40 through Cheltenham; and if he will make a statement. [24902]

Mr. Watts

It has long been the Department's intention to change the trunk road network around Cheltenham once completion and opening to traffic of the A417 Brockworth bypass had been achieved. The change envisaged is to de-trunk the A40 through Cheltenham and to trunk the A436 from the A417, air balloon roundabout, to the A40, Shipton Solers.

Following the recent opening of the A417 Brockworth bypass, the Highways Agency is now taking this proposal forward. However, those affected by the change must be given the opportunity to comment and Gloucestershire county council, which will take over responsibility for the A40, requires certain works to be done before it will accept this responsibility.

To begin the statutory process, we expect to publish draft orders later this year. Depending on the nature and weight of any objections received, a public inquiry may be necessary.

Mr. Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accident black spots have been identified by his Department on the A40 between Oxford and Gloucester; if he will list them; and if he will make a statement. [24909]

Mr. Watts

At each of the following locations on the length of A40 highlighted, a total of more than 12 personal injury accidents have been recorded in the last three years, as follows.

1993 1994 1995
A40/A417 Elmbridge Court roundabout, Gloucester 7 5 6
A40/B4063 Arle Court roundabout, Cheltenham 4 3 6

A study set up to examine safety standards at the Elmbridge Court roundabout has recently been concluded. Measures such as revised road markings adjustments to kerblines and renewal of the high friction grip surfacing are proposed. Funding opportunities for all initiatives of this kind under the network enhancement programme are under severe restraint at the present time and it is unlikely that any work will be carried out in relation to these proposals in 1996–97.

In the longer term, the Arle Court roundabout will be de-trunked and, as a result, and following the trunking of the A436, traffic flows at this roundabout are expected to reduce. Temporary traffic signals are currently in operation at the roundabout, the effect of which is being carefully monitored. The lights are needed to prevent queues backing up to the M5 Golden Valley viaduct where, due to the recent discovery of structural weaknesses, a temporary 3 tonn weight limit is currently in force.

Mr. Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the increase in the number of heavy vehicles entering Cheltenham on the A40(a) westbound and (b) eastbound since 1986; and if he will make a statement. [24904]

Mr. Watts

The recorded change in the number of heavy vehicles entering Cheltenham on the A40(a) westbound and (b) eastbound since 1986 is as follows:

1986 1995 Percentage variance
(a) 702 518 (-26 per cent.)
(b) 1,520 1,317 (-13 per cent.)

Flows: annual average daily traffic—AADT—24 hour count heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.

Mr. Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the increase in the volume of traffic entering Cheltenham on the A40(a) westbound and (b) eastbound since 1986; and if he will make a statement. [24903]

Mr. Watts

The increases in the volume of traffic entering Cheltenham on the A40(a) westbound and (b) eastbound since 1986 is recorded as follows:

1986 1995 Percentage variance
(a) 5,539 6,329 (+14)
(b) 13,993 17,711 (+27)

Flows: annual average daily traffic—AADT—24 hour count

Between 1986 and 1995, the national average growth in motor vehicle traffic was 31.8 per cent. To a measurable degree, the lower than average rate of traffic flow increase on the M40 entering Cheltenham in either direction can be ascribed to the opening in 1991 of the extended M40 between London, M25, and Birmingham, M5.