§ Mr. FlookTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the latest forecast of the Highways Agency is of the future congestion levels around junction 25 of the M5 in(a) one year, (b) three years, (c) five years and (d) 10 years; and what plans he has to implement a separate junction on the M5 between junction 24 and junction 25. [27493]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 15 January 2002]: There are no current predictions of future congestion on either the M5 at junction 25 or on the local roads, but the Highways Agency is developing, with Somerset county council, a traffic model for the Taunton area. This will include this junction and the surrounding roads which are the responsibility of the county council. I shall let the hon. Member know when the work is complete.
There are no current plans for an additional junction on the M5 motorway between junctions 24 and 25 but the London to South Wales and the South West Multi-Modal Study is looking at problems on the main transportation corridors in the study area, including the M5 at Taunton. I cannot speculate on the conclusions of the study, which is due to report in the spring.
§ Mr. FlookTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reason a TR110 statutory notice has been served on Taunton Deane borough council by the Highways Agency in connection with a planning proposal near junction 26 of the M5. [27491]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 15 January 2002]: A direction, under Article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995, was served by the Highways Agency on Taunton Deane borough council to allow the agency time to assess the traffic impact on junction 26 of the M5 of a proposal to erect industrial units on land adjoining Chelston Business Park.
The direction was withdrawn on 3 January this year after the developers had demonstrated that the proposal would not adversely affect the junction.