§ Sir John Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the value of repair and maintenance now necessary to keep the Woodhead route between South Yorkshire (Sheffield) and Manchester, South Lancashire and Cheshire, serviceable for heavy lorries and passenger vehicles; if he will indicate the level of central Government grants to meet this; and what comparable information he has for alternative routes.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI regret that this question could only be answered at disproportionate cost.
§ Sir John Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the number of passenger vehicles and heavy lorries per day, week or month crossing between South Yorkshire (Sheffield) and Manchester, South Lancashire and Cheshire, through the Woodhead pass, indicating any change from five, 10 or 15 years ago; and what similar information he has on alternative routes.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI regret that information is not available in the precise form requested. The following data has been obtained from traffic counts taken on the A628 trunk road near Flouch Inn, and the A57 county road near Ladybower Reservoir. All figures are approximate:
A628.
- August 1973. 4,000 vehicles per day (45 per cent. commercial vehicles over 30 cwt)
- July 1983. 4,000 vehicles per day (35 per cent. commercial vehicles over 30 cwt)
A57.
- August 1973. 4,800 vehicles per day (12 per cent. commercial vehicles over 30 cwt)
- April 1981. 3,500 vehicles per day (11 per cent. commercial vehicles over 30 cwt)