§ Mr. Hayhoeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the forecast traffic figures and related road capacities which he considered in coming to his decision about the opening of the Sunbury-Lightwater section of the M3.
§ Mr. CarmichaelFollowing is the information:
§ Mr. Hayhoeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are the estimated maximum traffic flows, in vehicles per hour and per 16-hour day, resulting from the opening of the Sunbury-Lightwater section of the M3 for 1974, 1975 and 1976 at (a) Burlington Lane on the A316, (b) between the South Circular and Harlington road on the A316, and (c) between the Hogarth Roundabout, Chiswick, and the Hammersmith Flyover on the M4;
(2) whether he will publish the forecast traffic flows, in vehicles per hour and per 16-hour day (maxima), expected on the Sunbury-Lightwater section of the M3 when it is opened; and what are the resultant traffic flows on the A305 and on the A316 between the South Circular and the Hogarth Roundabout, Chiswick, with origins and destinations taken from his Department's area traffic studies.
§ Mr. CarmichaelFollowing is the estimate of traffic flows following the opening of the M3 Lightwater-Sunbury section:
559WFlows on the days immediately following "opening" are unlikely to be typical. The flows shown are based on a reassignment of the traffic existing in the Light-water to Hogarth corridor.
All flows are in vehicles two-way per hour; daily flows relate to a 16-hour day.
* These flows will depend on drivers' choice between this route and the alternative route to Hogarth Roundabout via the A30 and A4 and the effectiveness of possible traffic management by the Greater London Council on the A305 and A316.
§ Mr. Hayhoeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his Department's estimated or designed traffic flows for those sections of the A30 road which will be mainly affected by the opening of the Sunbury-Lightwater section of the M3, in terms of vehicles per hour and per 16-hour day; and what are the comparable latest available figures for the actual daily average flows.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe main relief will be in the Sunningdale area where the maximum practical capacity of A30 is 2,500 vehicles per peak hour and 25,000 vehicles per 16-hour day. The actual daily flow in 1972 was 30,000 vehicles per day.
§ Mr. Hayhoeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish details of the various traffic management measures which are linked with his decision to open the Sunbury-Lightwater section of the M3.
§ Mr. CarmichaelWhen M3 is opened two traffic lanes in each direction will be available along GLC's A305-A316 scheme: the temporary road through Metropolitan Water Board land and the section of Feltham Hill Road joining A305 will have single lanes each way only which with the temporary roundabout and the lane restrictions on the motorway will tend to govern the rate of flow.
Main traffic management measures to be adopted thereafter as follows:
- (a) Signs at Lightwater interchange directing North London, Heathrow and M1 traffic via the A30;
- (b) Additional temporary signs at Light-water saying "avoid roadworks at Sunbury" and directing traffic via the A30;
560 - (c) Signs on the motorway at Sunbury Cross interchange directing Central London traffic along the A305: signs at the Sunbury Cross Roundabout directing any central London traffic leaving the motorway at that point along the A308 to A30;
- (d) Eastbound carriageway of M3 reduced from three to two lanes prior to the Sunbury Cross interchange, tapering through the interchange to one lane only;
- (e) Temporary roundabout on A305 near Park Road to facilitate Feltham Hill Road traffic;
- (f) Eastbound all-purpose entry slip road at Sunbury Cross interchange reduced to single lane;
- (g) Removal of existing traffic lights at junction of temporary road with Feltham Hill Road, and priority to be given to M3-A305 traffic. (Responsibility of GLC and LB of Hounslow);
- (h) Erection of sign at Hogarth Roundabout directing M3 traffic by A4 and A30.
The situation will be monitored in collaboration with the highway authorities concerned, and further measures taken if required.
§ Mr. Hayhoeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what balance of advantage he considers will accrue, and to whom, upon the opening of the Sunbury-Lightwater section of the M3.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe balance of advantage lies in the immediate relief to those using, or living or working in proximity to, the existing A30 with its congested conditions and high accident risk and in the economic and social benefit to be derived from the use of a new high-capacity, low-accident-risk route.