§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what figures on volume and weight of traffic using the A12 at Wrentham he is using since the 1984 figures; how the figures have changed up to August 1992; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisle[holding answer 19 October 1992]: Current traffic information is compiled from roadside interviews, traffic counts and journey time surveys carried out in October 1990. A permanent automatic count of traffic is also taken on the A12 south of Wrentham.
Traffic figures available in 1984 on the A12 south of Wrentham were in excess of 6,000 vehicles per day. A comparable figure for August 1992 is in excess of 10,000 vehicles per day. These are the highest daily flows of the year. The present A12 is capable of carrying these levels of traffic.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the likely time scale for a public consultation exercise on the proposed bypass of Wrentham on the A12.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisle[holding answer 19 October 1992]: The present programmed date for public consultation about the options for improving the A12 from south of Wrentham to Kessingland, including a bypass of Wrentham, is early next year.