§ Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what are the most recent traffic flow figures for the A428 and the A6 in Bedford and of the number of vehicles passing over the Prebend street, High street and Newnham street bridges;
(2) what is his Department's estimate of the traffic expected to be taken off the A428 at Bedford following the upgrading of the A45 and the completion of the southern route through Elstow to the M1.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 16 July 1990]: The most recent traffic flows are shown in the table together with the anticipated reduction at the opening of Bedford southern bypass. These figures allow for a transfer of traffic from Bedford to take account of the improvements along the A45 and the completion of the M1-A1 link route.
16 hour Annual Average Weekday Traffic (all vehicles) Location 1989 Predicted reduction1 A428 West of Bedford 21,000 6,500 A428 East of Bedford 18,000 11,500 Longholme Way/Newnham Avenue Bridge 29,000 15,000 A6 North of Bedford 20,000 — A6 Town Bridge (High Street) 29,000 — Prebend Street Bridge 27,000 — 1 On opening of Bedford southern bypass.
§ Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of the cost to Bedford for failure to tackle the traffic problems in the town.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 16 July 1990]: The net present value (NPV) of the proposed road improvements, 475W using my Department's standard cost-benefit analysis method, gives a guide to the overall cost. The proportions of value/cost accruing to Bedford alone are not calculated. The NPV of Bedford southern bypass has been estimated at between £33 million and £85 million (at 1988 cost and prices), depending on the rate of economic growth assumed over a 30-year period. The NPV of a proposed improvement to the west of Bedford has not yet been estimated.
Benefits may also accrue from the proposed town centre improvements which are the responsibility of Bedfordshire county council as the local highway authority.