HC Deb 15 April 1994 vol 241 cc334-5W
Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made as to whether traffic flows by the alternative lower Lea crossing would be adequate to deal with current and future demands on the Canning Town four-lane flyover;

(2) how the proposed works in respect of the scheme to widen the Canning Town flyover from four lanes to six will reduce existing congestion and delay;

(3) when he expects the Canning Town flyover with (a) two and (b) three lanes in each direction will produce significant delays to traffic; and over what periods of the day.

Mr. Norris

The questions relate to operational matters of the Highways Agency and I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Nigel Spearing, dated 14 April 1994: Steven Norris, the Minister for Transport in London has asked me to write to you about the three questions on the proposed improvement of the A13 from Ironbridge to Canning Town which you tabled for answer in the House by the Secretary of State for Transport. You asked when delays could be expected and how the proposed trunk road improvements would reduce existing congestion and delay. With the present four lanes, delays are expected to be significant for westbound traffic in the morning peak period from the year 2000 onwards. With the capacity increased to six lanes, three in each direction, the proposed improved capacity at the Canning Town flyover would match that of the A13 elsewhere and would remove the present constriction on the flow of traffic. Therefore, no significant delays would be expected at this location in the foreseeable future. You also asked whether the capacity of the alternative Lower Lea Crossing would be adequate to deal with the current and future demands on the Canning Town four lane flyover. The purpose of the lower crossing was to accommodate traffic between the development areas of the Royal Docks and the Isle of Dogs. Once these areas are fully developed there would be very little, if any, reserve capacity for use by trunk road traffic as an alternative route. I believe this is the information you want, but please let me know if there is anything further you require.