§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is aware of any insuperable engineering difficulties to building underpasses under the roundabouts on the A34 by Newbury; and what estimate has been made of their likely cost.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyEarly studies included consideration of a continuous underpass on the A34 by Newbury. Because of poor ground conditions, the River Kennet and the high water table, and nearby development, the cost was estimated then to be in excess of £30 million. A full central route scheme, with a tunnel, was then estimated to be about three times more expensive than a bypass and was not therefore pursued.
§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated volume of traffic using the A34 daily between the junction 13 turn-off from the M4 to the Sandleford roundabout; what is the estimated maximum number of vehicles this stretch of road is designed to carry; and what assessment has been made of the effect on traffic volumes of making the A34 by Newbury into a three-lane highway.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTraffic flows on the sections of A34 between the M4 and the Pinchington Lane roundabout in 1983 were in the range 17,000–32,000 vehicles per 12-hour average weekday. The range is forecast to rise to 22,000–52,000 by 2006, without a bypass.
The capacity of the road is determined by the rate at which traffic can pass through the roundabouts. The maximum flow approaching the Robin Hood roundabout from the south has been measured at 2,500 vehicles per hour with a long queue. This compares with an operating level of at least 4,800 for one carriageway of a dual three-lane urban road without junctions.
§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what studies have been carried out by his Department into replacing the roundabout on the A34 by the Robin Hood public house to enable north-south traffic to be separated from traffic flowing into and out of Newbury; if he will give costings for the work; and what consideration has been given to improving traffic flow at the other roundabout on the Newbury stretch of the road.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe possibility of separating north-south A34 traffic was considered prior to public consultation. An option passing under the Robin Hood roundabout, bypassing the central roundabout and joining a modified southern roundabout, was rejected because of traffic problems during construction, the effect on commercial interests and the substantially higher cost estimated at the time as more than £20 million.