§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has concerning delays experienced by motorists on the A2-M2 in the last month; what were the comparable figures for delays in the five previous years; and what proposals he has to reduce those delays in future years.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe information is as follows:
Delays within last month M2 Junctions 3–4 Minor delays Junctions 5–7 Peak period (6–9.30 am) Tailbacks 3–4 miles London-bound carriageway Usually clear within 1 hour Evening peak At times 2 mile tailback Coastbound carriageway A2 During the last two weeks of June there were four instances of the carriageway of A2 near Bean breaking up due to heat; emergency repairs caused serious congestion.
Longest delays
The worst incidence of queuing has occurred on fine weekends when tailbacks have reached seven miles.
Previous five years
The only information readily available is:
- 1987–88 Junctions 5–7—Peak hour delays of up to 20 minutes. No delays off peak.
- 1988–89 Junctions 5–7—Peak hour delays up to about 20 minutes. Off peak three to four minutes.
Weekend delays for traffic returning from the coast have involved tailbacks of up to four to five miles.
Proposals to reduce delays in future years
- (a) Current five-year programme of major maintenance on M2 will be completed by 1992; on A2 west of M2 by 1993, and on A2 east of M2 by 1994.
- (b) Contracts which will result in delays will be let on lane rental basis to minimise construction periods.
- (c) Greater use will be made of advance signing.
- (d) Every effort is, and will continue to be employed on designing works to avoid delays consistent with safety.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the cost of widening the carriageway of the A2-M2 section north of Canterbury to three lanes.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThere are no present plans to widen the A2 south of Canterbury to dual three-lanes, so estimated costs are not available.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the cost of the current maintenance work being carried out on the A2-M2 two-lane section north of Canterbury.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe figure is £8.7 million.