§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for future speed limits on the A46 from Widmerpool-Newark-Lincoln; if he will pay regard to the limitations of this road; if he will give the number of fatal and other casualties for each of the past five years; and what proposals he has for its improvement.
§ Mr. SpeedProposals have been published to remove the present 50 m.p.h. speed restriction on those lengths of the A46 between Widmerpool to which it applies, except for short lengths through East Stoke and Farndon; and to extend the present 40 m.p.h. restriction at North Hykeham southwards for approximately 1,400 yards. The limitations of the road have been taken account of in these proposals. The latest available statistics of casualties are as follows:154W
Fatal Serious Slight 1968 5 36 35 1969 4 36 31 1970 8 33 36 1971 4 28 41 1972 7 32 39 These figures are for a 32-mile length of road excluding the Borough of Newark where no changes in speed limit are proposed.
Possible improvements to the A46 from Widmerpool to Newark, including a relief road at Newark, are being investigated. Consideraion is also being given to improvement of the A46/A52 junction at Saxondale. Street lighting is about to be installed from South Hykeham to the Nottinhamshire county boundary and it is proposed to install two additional sets of traffic signals, each with pedestrian crossing facilities, at North Hykeham during 1973.