§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the works on the slipway from the east-bound A40 at Hangar lane are expected to be completed; at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [16226]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Harry Greenway, dated 20 February 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about works on the slip road from the eastbound A40 to the Hangar Lane Gyratory Junction.The eastbound slip road to this junction has become very congested in the past three years and vehicles often queue back onto the main carriageway of the A40. The works are to widen the slip road from two lanes to three at the junction which will ease the traffic flow through the junction.Unexpected difficulties with the location and movement of electricity cables and works associated with gas mains have extended the duration of the works. To catch up time the contractor is now working sixteen hours a day. Night-time working is not viewed as a practical option as it would cause considerable noise and disturbance to local residents.Unfortunately it is not possible to operate two lanes of traffic on the slip road alongside the works because of the need to provide a safety zone between the traffic and the contractor's workforce. However two lanes have been maintained at the traffic signals during peak periods to ensure that almost the same number of vehicles continue to move through the junction.The estimated cost of the works is £80,000 and it is expected that the works will be completed on or very soon after the originally programmed date of 9 March.