HC Deb 25 May 1993 vol 225 cc481-3W
Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the photographs accompanying the publication of formal proposals for phases 1 and 2 of the A550 improvements was taken.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Friday 24 August 1990.

Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will quantify traffic on(a) the A550 during the recent signposted diversion during roadworks at Queensferry and (b) for the same area prior to the diversion.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Average daily traffic flows:

  1. (i) During recent diversion—
    • Hooton—11,000 vehicles per day
    • Deeside Park—35,000 vehicles per day
  2. (ii) Prior to diversion—
    • Hooton—11,300 vehicles per day
    • Deeside Park—39,500 vehicles per day

Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement detailing the conclusions drawn after the public consultation exercise into phase 3 of proposals for improvements to the A550.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

That there was substantial support for major improvements to the A550 and for the adoption of the blue route. That, after considering carefully the question of alternatives via the M53 and M56, the best option was to proceed with the modified blue route.

Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors were considered when the decision was taken to develop the A550.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

The objectives underlying all trunk road schemes are:

  • To assist economic growth by reducing transport costs
  • To improve the environment by removing through traffic from unsuitable roads in towns and villages, and
  • To enhance road safety.

Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration was given to traffic-calming measures as a solution to current problems on the A550; and if he will make a statement on the investigation and its conclusions.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

The A550 forms an integral part of the trunk road system which we wish to maintain and develop. Traffic calming is not relevant in these circumstances.

Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will quantify annual accidents(a) on the A550 Ledsham bridge section prior to the improvements made in the 1980s and (b) for the same route since the improvements were completed.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

There were nine accidents in four years prior to the improvements completed in early 1989. There have been three accidents in four years since then.

Mr. Miner

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the terms of reference for improving the A550 will include an examination of the justification of the principle of the entire scheme.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Each stage of the improvement stands alone as a separate scheme, the need and justification for which is likely to be tested at public inquiry.

Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date the original proposals for the A550 improvement were received; and whether they formed a co-ordinated scheme with proposals for the Dee barrage.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

The 1987 White Paper "Policy for Roads" introduced a scheme to improve the A550 between Woodbank and Ledsham. In 1989, the complementary scheme for the improvement between Ledsham and the M53 was added. Account was taken of all planned road schemes in the area.

Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date the principle of the current scheme for major improvements to the A550 was last evaluated; and if he will make a statement detailing the alternative schemes with which it was compared at that time.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

The justification for a scheme is continually assessed as design progresses. Alternative schemes assessed were an on-line improvement and an off-line route to the east of Two Mills.

Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the possible rail alternatives to the current proposals for improvements to the A550 were last evaluated.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Recent and planned improvements to the rail network in the area are being taken into account in the scheme assessment. They are unlikely to have a major impact on the need for the improvements to the A550.

Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the criteria used to reach the decision for the proposed Ledsham to Deeside Park and M53 to Ledsham phases of the A550 improvements.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

The A550 is a key element in the trunk road network for journeys between the Merseyside conurbation and north Wales. The present narrow single carriageway has a poor vertical alignment in places and is substandard for the amount of traffic using it. Poor visibility at junctions and accesses makes conditions hazardous for all road users and accidents are above the national average. Traffic is subject to congestion and queuing at peak hours and summer weekends. The degree and frequency of the congestion will increase with forecast higher flows.

Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will quantify traffic annually using(a) the A550 prior to the M53/A55 link around Chester into north Wales and (b) the same route since completion of the M53/A55 link.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

The following is the information:

  1. (a) Prior to completion of M53/A55 link—
    • Hooton—12,450 vehicles per day
    • Deeside Park—46,500 vehicles per day
  2. (b) Since completion of M53/A55 link—
    • Hooton—12,450 vehicles per day
    • Deeside Park—45,500 vehicles per day

Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement detailing the forecast traffic growth on the A550; and what are the criteria on which this forecast is based.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Traffic flow forecasts for 2011 are:

Vehicles per day
Hoolon
Low growth 30,500
High growth 37,500
Deeside Park
Low growth 71,700
High growth 87,500

The Department used its standard methodologies to produce growth factors for private vehicles which reflect local circumstances. For commercial vehicles growth was assumed to be in line with national road traffic forecasts.

The growth factors were then applied to current traffic flows to produce forecasts for the year 2011 which were assigned to the road network containing the Department's proposals.