HC Deb 20 January 1987 vol 108 c463W
Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria were used in the selection of the Modbury to Bigbury road as a core census site.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The Modbury to Bigbury road site was selected (along with six others) at random from all points on class B built-up roads in Great Britain.

Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for Transport for how long each day, for how many days in each month, and for how many years, a census site will be maintained on the Modbury to Bigbury road; how much of the traffic so counted is estimated to be travelling by road beyond Bigbury; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The traffic census on the Modbury to Bigbury road is taken for three 16-hour periods each month. Vehicles are not stopped, nor do interviews take place. Manual traffic counts will continue until the Department is able to install suitable automatic traffic counting and classifying equipment. Development of such equipment is in hand and undergoing trials. It is not possible to estimate from traffic counts alone the proportion of traffic using the road beyond Bigbury.