HC Deb 09 February 1987 vol 110 cc45-6W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent investigations have been made into the safety of parapet rails on the A38(M) Aston expressway, Birmingham; by whom; at what cost; with what results; what are the existing rails constructed from; and when they were fitted, by whom, and at what cost;

(2) on what date work is due to start on replacing parapet rails on the A38(M) Aston expressway, Birmingham, how long the work is due to take; and on what date a press notice concerning interruption to traffic flow was issued;

(3) for what reason a contract to replace parapet rails on A38(M) Aston expressway, Birmingham; was negotiated with R. M. Douglas rather than the work being put out to tender; and at what price the contract was settled;

(4) from what materials replacement parapet rails are to be constructed for use on the A38(M) Aston expressway, Birmingham; and how many of such rails are estimated to need replacing;

(5) whether he will estimate the number of metre traffic cones to be used in connection with the replacement of parapet safety rails on the A38(M) Aston expressway, Birmingham;

(6) whether he will give the number of accidents, involving vehicles crashing through the parapet rails on the A38(M) Aston expressway, Birmingham, since its opening and where vehicles have fallen through the rails.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The A38(M) Aston expressway, Birmingham, is a local road for which Birmingham city council is the responsible highway authority. I have no detailed information about the council's investigations into the parapet rails or the work which it intends to carry out.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with West Midlands police about traffic management at junction 6, north and south on the M6, while parapet rails are replaced on the A38(M) Aston expressway; and whether there are plans to close motorway exits during this work.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

None. Birmingham city council is the responsible highway authority for the A38(M) and is the Department's agent for the M6 junction 6. It has made the necessary traffic management arrangements. There are no plans to close the motorway exits from M6 because of the council's work.