§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the estimated cost of the proposed Builth Wells bypass, the estimated number of vehicles per day that will use it, the estimated timescale for completion, the length of delays currently experienced by drivers and the present level of accidents in Builth Wells.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsThe estimated cost of the Builth Wells bypass is £15 million (at out-turn prices). Depending on which route is chosen, some 6,500 vehicles a day could use the new road. The anticipated two year construction contract is currently programmed to start between April 1996 and March 1999, subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures and the availability of funds. Traffic delays presently vary according to the time and season, but are particularly significant in the summer months. At the southern end of the proposed scheme, and in the town centre, the accident rate is above the national average. For the remainder, it is about the national average.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all(a) town/village bypass schemes and (b) traffic calming measures undertaken by his Department within the south Wales valleys in each year from 1990; and if he will list the schemes which are intended to be developed in (i) 1993 and (ii) 1994.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsThe primary responsibility for the road network in the south Wales valleys rests with local authorities. No bypass schemes or traffic calming measures have been introduced in the valleys on trunk roads for which I am responsible since 1990. The A465 Aberdulais to Glynneath and the A470 Pentrebach to Cefn Coed improvements which it is planned to start in 1993–94 will118W each by-pass local communities. Road conditions are kept under review, but no specific traffic calming measures are planned on trunk roads in the valleys in 1993 or 1994.