HC Deb 28 June 1974 vol 875 cc556-7W
Mr. Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will agree to meet the recently established National Association of Rate-papers Action Groups of Great Britain.

Mr. John Silkin

No. I am well aware of its views and I hope that it will put them to the forthcoming committee of inquiry into local government finance.

At "opening" 1974 1975* 1976*
Peak hour Daily Peak hour Daily Peak hour Daily
M3 motorway west of Sunbury 1,760 18,000 2,050 21,000 2,640 27,000
A 305 2,400 21,500 2,700 24,500 3,300 30,500
A316 South Circular Road-Hartington Road 3,550 29,500 3,850 32,500 4,150 38,500
A316 Burlington Lane 3,000 25,000 3,300 28,000 3,600 34,000
A4 east of Hogarth Roundabout 9,000 108,000 9,000 110,000 9,000 110,000

The capacity of the lane restrictions on the motorway, the temporary roundabout and the temporary road will tend to govern the rate of flow of traffic eastwards.

The figures given in column 2 are estimates only and are based on the best information available at the present time. Traffic flows within a large network are, however, fluid and traffic tends to find its own level on the various links according to the conditions which are encountered. The actual traffic flows following the opening of M3 could therefore vary somewhat from those given above but the whole situation will be kept under close observation, and close liaison will be maintained with the authorities concerned.

Mr. Hayhoe

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list separately the organisations and others from whom he has received representations for and against opening the Sunbury-Lightwater section of the M3.

Mr. Carmichael

No. I have to respect the confidentiality of correspondence received.

Vehicles per hour
Road Current After opened Maximum practical capacity
A30 (Sunningdale area) 3,200 4,140 2,500
M3 Lightwater-Sunbury 1,760 4,800
A308 Staines Road West 2,800 3,000 3,200
A308 Staines Road East 1,850 1,850 3,200
Temporary road (temporary roundabout to Feltham Hill) 1,000 2,400 3,000