§ 31. Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Transport what further representations he has received concerning the pressure of traffic flows in the Dartford tunnel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerSince I replied to the hon. Member for Woolwich (Mr. Cartwright) on 19 June 1984 at column93, I have received 14 letters from hon. Members. In addition, letters have also been received from eight members of the public, the chairman of the Dartford tunnel joint committee and the clerk to the Essex county council. Traffic flows at the tunnel were discussed when I visited the tunnel on 15 August 1984, when I received a deputation led by my hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath (Mr. Townsend) on 20 November 1984, and when officials from my Department met the county surveyors of Kent and Essex together with officials of the tunnel joint committee on 4 February 1985.
Conditions can be expected to improve when new toll booths come into operation later this year and again when work to improve the approach roads is completed in Spring 1987. I am, however, very conscious of the role of the tunnel as a crucial link in the M25. Consultants have therefore been retained to investigate traffic flows so that we may prepare to take any necessary decisions in good time.