HC Deb 25 February 1986 vol 92 cc499-500W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how current traffic flows on the M25 compare with pre-construction estimates; and if he will make a statement.

(2) if he will specify those sections of the M25 where traffic flows exceed 50,000 vehicles per day, and their direction.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The information requested is set out in the table. Current flows for those sections listed relate to traffic counts taken in December 1985. The results of traffic counts on other sections will be available by the summer. The measured flows are the total numbers of vehicles travelling in both directions. There is no significant difference between the numbers travelling clockwise and anti-clockwise. In no case does a directional flow exceed 50,000 vehicles per day.

The design flow for the dual three-lane sections of the M25 was 85,000 vehicles per day. The design flow for any road is less than its maximum capacity.

Section Junction Numbers Forecasts Flows for 1987 16 Hour Average Daily
(000s) (000s)
Original Updated(1984) Flow (000s)
A225-A2 1–2 55–75 61–80 —
A2-M20 2–3 55–70 61–74 —
M20-A21 3–4 50–60 56–64 —
A21-M26/A21 4–5 50–60 56–64 —
M26/A21-A22 5–6 50–60 56–64 54
A22-M23 6–7 50–65 56–69 62
M23-A217 7–8 50–60 56–64 —
A217-A243 8–9 40–50 44–53 58
A243-A3 9–10 45–55 50–58 60
A3-A320 10–11 55–75 61–90 77
A320-M3 11–12 65–80 72–85 89
M3-A30 12–13 60–75 67–80 —
A30-Airport Spur 13–14 70–80 78–85 —
Airport Spur-M4 14–15 70–80 78–85 —
M4-M40 15–16 60–65 67–69 59
M40-A412 16–17 55–60 61–64 58
A412-A404 17–18 55–65 61–69 58
A404-A405 18–19 65–75 72–80 66
A405-A41 19–20 45–55 50–58 Not Open
A41-M1 20–21 45–50 50–53 Not Open
M1-A6 21–22 30–35 33–37 Not Open
A6-A1(M) 22–23 40–50 44–53 Not Open
A1(M)-A111 23–24 50–55 56–58 54
A111-A10 24–25 40–45 44–48 55
A10-Al21 25–26 45–50 50–53 52
Al21-M11 26–27 50–60 56–64 52
M11-Al2 27–28 50–60 56–64 58
Al2-Al27 28–29 35–40 39–42 50
Al27-A13 29–30/31 35–40 39–42 47
Section Junction Numbers Forecasts Flows for 1987 16 Hour Average Daily
(000s) (000s)
Original Updated(1984) Flow (000s)
A13-Dartford Tunnel 31–1 50–60 56–64 54