HC Deb 30 April 1996 vol 276 cc448-9W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the bridge on the A40 trunk road in Cheltenham near the junction of Lansdown road and Gloucester road; and if he will make a statement. [27059]

Mr. Watts

The existing brickwork parapets on the Lansdown road bridge do not comply with modern standards. It is proposed that they be upgraded and at the same time the bridge be widened to accommodate a shared cycle and pedestrian facility on the south side and a segregated facility on the north side. The provision for cyclists will form part of the Tennyson road to Shelburne road facility.

The timing of construction will depend upon the availability of funds.

Mr. Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning improvements to the A40 trunk road between Cheltenham and Gloucester; what estimate he has made of the cost of each improvement scheme; in what order of priority he has placed each scheme; what plans he has to implement the improvements before detrunking this part of the A40; and if he will make a statement. [27060]

Mr. Watts

Gloucestershire county council has asked the Highways Agency to fund the following schemes on the A40 through Cheltenham before the road is detrunked. The schemes are listed in priority order.

  1. (1) Lansdown road railway bridge—Parapet strengthening and widening to cater for pedestrians and cyclists. (Cost £860,000).
  2. (2) Tennyson road to Shelburne road cycleway—Provision of a cycle track and footway along the northern side of the A40. The scheme has been the subject of public consultation. (Cost £120,000).
  3. (3) Old Bath road/Sandford road—Provision of a roundabout. (Cost £44,000).
  4. (4) Gordon lamp junction improvement—Scheme has been progressed to tender document stage. (Cost £9,000).
  5. (5) Lansdown road/Lansdown walk junction—Closure of the side road. (Cost £5,600).
  6. (6) West Green—Signing improvements, completed in 1995–96. (Cost £2,000).

Gloucestershire county council has also asked for certain maintenance works to be carried out on the A40.

The Highways Agency is close to finalising agreement with Gloucestershire county council on the package of works related to the detrunking of the A40, subject to satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures.

We expect to publish draft orders this summer.