§ Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the traffic flows on the A27(a) through Worthing and (b) around Arundel were (i) in 1997 and (ii) on the latest date: for which figures are available; [165699]
(2) what representations he has received (a) for and (b) against improvements for traffic on the A27 (i) through Worthing and (ii) around Arundel. [165701]
§ Mr. JamiesonTraffic flows on the A27(a) through Worthing and (b) around Arundel (i) in 1997 and (ii) 2002—the latest date for which figures are available—are given in the table:
Year Location Two-way annual average daily traffic (AADT) 1997 Clapham, west of Worthing 24,893 1997 North Lancing, east of Worthing Not available 1997 Walberton, west of Arundel 24,633 1997 Poling, east of Arundel 27,609 2002 Clapham, west of Worthing 26,800 2002 North Lancing, east of Worthing 52,800 2002 Walberton, west of Arundel 26,700 2002 Poling, east of Arundel 28,400 Since the Secretary of State's announcement on 9 July 2003, Ministers have received five representations in support of improvements on the A27 through Worthing and 11 representations in support of improvements on the A27 through Arundel.
No representations for or against proposed short-term, small-scale improvements for traffic on the A27 through Worthing and around Arundel have been received.
§ Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many lanes, such way are justified for the A27(a) through Worthing and (b) around Arundel. [165700]
§ Mr. JamiesonIn Worthing there are four lanestwo each wayfor traffic for some sections of the A27 and the remainder is one lane each way with additional lanes at junctions. There are numerous junctions with local roads and a very high proportion of local traffic uses the route.
Following the rejection of the 3roposals of the south coast multi-modal study the Highways Agency is working closely with West Sussex county council to develop alternative strategies for managing traffic in 54W Worthing, and I expect their report in the summer. The justification for the number of traffic lanes required in Worthing will therefore depend on this work.
At Arundel, there is one lane each way along the existing inner Arundel bypass. The principal congestions points are, however, the main junctions at Arundel and at the nearby Crossbush junction. The agency has recently installed traffic signals to improve the operation of the Crossbush junction. It is envisaged that additional road capacity will be required in the Arundel area, but the exact nature of this provision is under consideration and the agency will report back in the summer.
§ Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to propose relief for(a) traffic on the A27 and (b) residents in (i) Worthing and (ii) Arundel. [165702]
§ Mr. JamiesonIn July 2003 we rejected the proposals for a number of road improvements for the A27 as presented in the recommendations of the south coast multi-modal study. We asked the Highways Agency to review the proposals and develop less environmentally damaging options. This work is in progress and I expect the agency to report back in the summer. I will then consider the alternatives and decide on the way forward for the Arundel and Worthing lengths of the A27.
The agency is developing short-term measures to improve traffic flow and pedestrian crossing facilities in Worthing and has installed traffic signals to smooth traffic flow at Crossbush junction near Arundel.