§ Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the obstructions and the stopping of contractors' lorries on the A.2 during roadworks, if he is satisfied that this section of the road should still be designated as a clearway; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Tom FraserContractors' vehicles are exempted from the clearway waiting restrictions on A.2. By preventing other vehicles from waiting on the carriageway the clearway will serve a useful purpose, particularly during the busy summer months, in reducing congestion whilst the road works proceed.
§ Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Transport what schemes or proposals have been submitted to Northfleet Council on the landscaping of the A.2 at Northfleet.
§ Mr. Tom FraserNone. My horticultural adviser will be ready to discuss his proposals with the council when these are further advanced.
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§ Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the dangers created by the accumulation of soil and debris during the roadworks on the A.2 at North-fleet and Gravesend, if he will take steps to have all such soil and debris removed.
§ Mr. Tom FraserThe contractor is employing a gang full-time to keep the carriageway clear. But some difficulties are bound to arise where a road has to be built to near-motorway standards along an existing major route.
§ Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will arrange to give a more adequate indication, particularly during the hours of darkness, of junctions, during roadwork on the A.2 at Northfleet and Gravesend;
(2) if he will ensure better illumination of obstructions during the hours of darkness at the road works on the A.2 at Northfleet and Gravesend.
§ Mr. Tom FraserI understand that the illumination of these obstructions is being carried out in agreement with the police authority The Traffic Safety Code for Road Works, issued by my Department, deals with the signing of road works and any necessary lighting of obstructions.
I do not consider that it is necessary to illuminate the junction direction signs at this stage of the works, but the contractor has been asked to improve the signing of the junctions.
§ Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will ensure that the underpass beneath the A.2 between Hog Lane and Downs Road, Northfleet, Kent, is made available for all traffic;
(2) what is the estimated cost of the underpass being constructed beneath the A.2 between Hog Lane and Downs Road, Northfleet, Kent.
§ Mr. Tom FraserNo. The decision to build a subway only for pedestrians, cyclists and farm traffic was made after a public inquiry The estimated cost is £26,000.
§ Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Transport whether a scheme for the provision of street lighting on the A.2 at Northfleet and Gravesend has been drawn up.
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§ Mr. Tom FraserThe responsibility for street lighting on this length of road rests with the local lighting authorities, who have not submitted any proposals to me.