§ Sir Alastair GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the need for by-passes around villages on the A51 in Cheshire; and if he will make a statement. [77608]
§ Dr. ReidSince the Government's Roads Review, "A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England", was published last July, written representations have been received via the right hon. Member, from my hon. Friend the Member for City of Chester (Ms Russell), and from several local residents. In addition a report has been compiled by the A51 Environmental Group that also makes representations on this issue.
§ Sir Alastair GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the need for(a) reducing traffic volume, (b) lowering traffic speed and (c) decreasing the number of heavy goods vehicles on the A51 in Cheshire; and if he will make a statement. [77607]
§ Dr. ReidI have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the right hon. Member.
154WLetter from Lawrie Haynes to Sir Alastair Goodlad, dated 23 March 1999:
The Minister for Transport, Dr John Reid, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning representations received about the need for reducing traffic volume, lowering traffic speed and decreasing the number of heavy goods vehicles on the A51 in Cheshire.We have received written representations covering all three issues from eight local residents. We have also received a copy of a report prepared by the A51 Environmental Group, which covers these points.As you know, the Highways Agency is carrying out two studies involving the A51. Firstly, a study of the full length of the road in Cheshire to identify where measures may be required to address safety problems either at specific locations or on the road as a whole. Secondly, a review of all villages on the Cheshire trunk roads to identify and place in order of priority, any locations that would benefit from new or improved traffic calming measures. We expect to have the results of both studies shortly.The A51 provides a direct link for traffic travelling between the M6 and Chester, North Wales and Merseyside. A number of residents have suggested that Heavy Goods Vehicles should be signed to use the longer route provided by the M6, M56 and M53 rather than using the A51. We have considered this carefully but have no plans to change the existing signing.The A51/A500 Chester to the M6 is one of the trunk routes identified as non-core and one which would be more appropriately managed by the local highway authority. Responsibility for non-core roads is to be transferred to local highway authorities by means of detrunking. I understand that the Government will be announcing a final decision on the split of the network into core and non-core routes as soon as possible.If the A51/A500 is confirmed as a non-core route to be detrunked, then from 1 April 2000 the Agency will only initiate further improvements that we consider necessary to keep the route in a safe and serviceable condition. It will be for the local highway authority, in this case Cheshire County Council, to consider the need for other improvements in the context of their Local Transport Plan. Provisional plans covering the period 2000/01–2004/05 are to be submitted by the end of July.