Sir Irvine PatrickTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the benefits to local communities of bypasses in Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement. [35853]
§ Mr. WattsBypass schemes to be built on the trunk road network are assessed during the design stage in accordance with my Department's procedures which are set out in the design manual for roads and bridges. A copy has been placed in the Library.
Following completion of a bypass an assessment of the effects of the scheme is undertaken in terms of traffic and accidents. Since 1989, the following post-opening studies have been made for bypass schemes in Yorkshire:
- A616 Stocksbridge bypass: (November 1989)
- A65 Settle and Gigglewick bypass: (February 1990)
- A65 Addingham bypass: (February 1992)
- A1079 Market Weighton bypass: (June 1992)
- A650 Drighlington bypass: (October 1993)
- A65 Draughton bypass: (December 1993)
Bypasses promoted by local highway authorities which are included in their transport policies and programme submissions to the Department are assessed using similar procedures.
The provision of bypasses can bring very substantial benefits to local communities in terms of relieving bottlenecks to through traffic, enhancing the environment and improving road safety.