§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will publish the report of a study carried out by his Department's research laboratory on the A61 in Outwood in the Normanton constituency, giving the findings of the effects on the environment that traffic using this road is having on the local community; and if he will make a statement;
(2) when he expects to have the report on the traffic nuisance study carried out in December 1989 on the A61 in Outwood, in the Normanton constituency; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe survey of traffic nuisance on the A61 at Outwood is being carried out as part of a wider study by the transport and road research laboratory to develop methods of assessing the environmental effects of roads and traffic. This involves surveys at 10 sites round the country, selected to represent a range of traffic conditions. The work is not aimed at identifying or solving problems at specific sites, and it is not intended to publish the findings of the Outwood survey separately or otherwise than in the form of statistical summaries. The information gained should enable the Department to refine its procedures for the environmental appraisal of road schemes by giving a firmer indication of the extent to which a new road, bypass or road improvement will reduce the nuisance caused by traffic. The work so far has been of an explanatory nature only. The main part of the study is likely to be completed by late 1991 and published soon afterwards.
I regret that, because of an error in identifying the constituency in which this survey was to take place, the hon. Member was not informed in the usual way. An apology has been sent to the hon. Member by my Department.