HC Deb 08 March 1993 vol 220 cc419-20W
Sir John Hunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what traffic surveys were conducted in West Wickham high street before the formulation of the proposals to designate this stretch of the A232 as a red route.

Mr. Norris

None. As we made clear in our consultation document in January last year, the basis for the composition of the red route network was the existing primary route network, which consists of the best routes for traffic entering and leaving London and making longer distance journeys within it. The A232 West Wickham high street is a primary route.

Sir John Hunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the likely increase in traffic growth through West Wickham high street following its designation as part of the A232 red route.

Mr. Norris

This is a matter for the London borough of Bromley to consider in preparing the red route local plan. If it foresees any increase in traffic, the traffic director would expect the local plan to include offsetting benefits in terms of reduced congestion, improved road safety, or environmental improvements on nearby roads.

Sir John Hunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instruct the Traffic Director to pay an official visit to West Wickham high street before finalising his decision to designate this stretch of the A232 as a red route.

Mr. Norris

The A232 West Wickham high street was designated a red route by the Secretary of State on 11 June 1992.

I understand that the traffic director and his assistant director south-east visited West Wickham high street prior to attending a meeting of the London borough of Bromley's technical services committee on 20 January. The assistant director has also visited West Wickham high street on several previous occasions to inspect traffic conditions during the morning peak, lunchtime and early evening periods.

Sir John Hunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration has been given to a possible diversion of the proposed A232 red route from West Wickham high street in order to meet the objections raised by local residents.

Mr. Norris

We carefully considered the London borough of Bromley's alternative proposal that the red route should by-pass West Wickham high street. We concluded, however, that no change should be made to our original proposal.

Sir John Hunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received with regard to the proposed red route through West Wickham high street; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Norris

We have received 517 representations and in addition four petitions containing a total of 341 names.

I am satisfied that the high street forms part of an existing strategic route through south London which will benefit from the introduction of red route measures.