§ Lord Braine of Wheatleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have for improving the A.127; and
What improvements have been made to the A.127 between Basildon and Southend-on Sea during 1994, and what are planned for 1995.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen)These are operational matters for the Highways Agency, I have asked the Chief Executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the noble Lord.
Letter to Lord Braine of Wheatley from the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. L. Haynes, dated 1st December 1994:
The Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport has asked me to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Questions about the A.127 in Essex since they are operational matters for the Highways Agency.
The Highways Agency announced its proposed route for the improvement to the A.127 on 3rd November 1994 following which local public exhibitions were held in the area between 10 November and 18th November 1994. I enclose for your information a copy of the Public Consultation leaflet which shows the route proposals. The consultation period for the receipt of comments runs to 31st January 1995.
All comments received will be carefully considered before the Secretary of State for Transport makes a decision on the way forward. The next stage could be the announcement of a preferred route by him in about 12 months' time.
The agency will not carry out any work other than maintenance on the A.127 during 1994. In 1995, in addition to possible maintenance work and subject to the availability of funds, we propose to introduce measures to alleviate queuing at the Fortune of War Roundabout. All right turn movements at the roundabout will be barred to allow a higher degree of free flowing traffic on the A.127. This should both significantly reduce queues and result in fewer accidents at this location.
The scheme will be initially implemented on an experimental basis using temporary materials. If the scheme were not successful in achieving its aims, the original layout could then be restored quickly.