§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Transport why it is proposed to reduce the width of the M40 to two lanes over the Denham interchange; and whether he has considered the concern expressed by the London borough of Hillingdon on this matter.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAs I told my hon. Friend in my letter of 29 April, the slow lane and hard shoulder of the westbound carriageway of M40 over the interchange have been coned off in connection with the construction of the M25 interchange further west. This restriction to two lanes is to be made permanent to permit safer access to the resumed three-lane section at the junction with the entry slip road from the Denham roundabout. The London borough of Hillingdom consider the proposed arrangement unsafe because of the volume of through westbound traffic at the Denham interchange, but we consider the two-lane section quite adequate to carry the expected traffic flow. Forty per cent. of westbound traffic on A40 approaching the interchange in the evening peak takes the exit slip road here to the roundabout. Gantry signs are to be erected on A40 in the autumn to direct westbound traffic on to the two outer lanes of the M40 and traffic wishing to leave the A40 on to the left-hand lane.
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the predicted traffic flows on the M40 at the Denham interchange.
§ Mrs. ChalkerUp to 60,000 vehicles per 16-hour day in 1998.