§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he expects to implement the de-trunking of the A40 through Cheltenham before improvements are made to the alternative A436 route; and if he will make a statement; [56405]
(2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposals in the trunk roads review on the number of vehicles entering Cheltenham on the A40 from (a) the east and (b) the west; and if he will make a statement. [56404]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonAs a result of the Roads Review it is proposed to detrunk the whole of the A40 from the M40 westward to Ross-on-Wye. The timing of detrunking will be subject to consultation and agreement with the local highway authorities. The administrative act of detrunking will have no impact on A40 traffic flows through Cheltenham, but Gloucestershire County Council, who will become responsible for the section through the town, will be able to consider measures to reduce the amount of through traffic. They are the highway authority for the A436 and, as such, responsible for determining the need for any improvements to that road.