§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give urgent consideration to widening the existing two lane M2 motorway from the Medway bridge, at least to the A249 access; what studies have been undertaken in this connection; and if he will give an indication of present traffic flows in relation to design capacity.
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§ Mrs. ChalkerWe are at present undertaking a study of the possible need for more capacity on M2 between junctions 1 and 3 where there are particular problems relating to a combination of traffic and gradient. We are also looking at the junction with the A2 at Brenley Corner. For the present the M2 is adequate in other areas, but we shall continue to monitor it. The present traffic flows vary from section to section. In 1984 the estimated flows between junctions 3 and 5 ranged from 27,000 to 37,000 compared with a design flow of between 32,000 and 55,000. The figures quoted are for vehicles in 24-hour average annual day.