HC Deb 23 November 1994 vol 250 cc182-3W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if the Highway Authority has received an application for Nantwich road to be closed due to engineering work on Crewe bridge;

(2) what are his Department's plans to divert traffic in Crewe and Nantwich;

(3) what consultations he has had with local traders in the Crewe bridge area of Nantwich road over the proposals for long-term closure of the main road for engineering work;

(4) what approval the Highway Authority has given for Nantwich road area to be closed for engineering work for a period of longer than three months;

(5) if he will publish the details of any diversion in the Crewe bridge area of Nantwich road;

(6) if he will direct Railtrack to carry out urgent consultations with traders in the Crewe bridge area of Nantwich road over the proposals for long-term closure of the main road for engineering work.

Mr. Watts

The reconstruction of Crewe station railway bridge is presently being undertaken by Railtrack. Crewe and Nantwich borough council, as agents for Cheshire county council who have responsibility for the A534—Nantwich road—which is carried by the bridge, is providing traffic management while the work is carried out and will be issuing details of any diversions in the area.

One complete weekend closure is planned for 26 and 27 November to allow the installation of bridge beams and a six-week closure is proposed from 11 March 1995. There are no plans for Nantwich road to be closed for a period longer than three months.

My Department has no plans to divert traffic in the area.

Consultation with local traders about closures on the A534 is a matter for Railtrack and Cheshire county council and their agents.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a special budget urgently available for temporary car parking in the Crewe bridge area of Nantwich road to Crewe and Nantwich borough council.

Mr. Norris

No. The resources my Department allocates for local transport infrastructure go to local highway authorities and passenger transport executives. Crewe and Nantwich borough council are not eligible.