HC Deb 14 May 1996 vol 277 cc428-9W
Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what traffic flow surveys his Department has carried out on the Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston stretch of the A78; and if he will publish the results. [28609]

Mr.Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Traffic flow counts have been carried out at several locations on the A78 between Ardrossan and Saltcoats over 10 and 12-hour periods on the dates shown as follows:

Date Location Recorded traffic flows
26 May 1994 200 metres west of Dalry Road, Saltcoats 7260 Eastbound (12 hours)
26 May 1994 As above 7480 Westbound (12 hours)
21 April 1995 Eglinton Road (At Seafield Drive), Ardrossan 4832 Southbound (12 hours)
21 April 1995 As above 4347 Northbound (12 hours)
16 November 1995 Loanhead Road, Ardrossan 5049 Westbound (10 hours)
16 November 1995 As above 5507 Eastbound (10 hours)
25 January 1996 As above 5277 Westbound (10 hours)
25 January 1996 As above 5030 Eastbound (10 hours)
29 February 1996 Parkhouse Road (High Tide Bar), Ardrossan 5205 Northbound (10 hours)
29 February 1996 As above 5413 Southbound (10 hours)

There is also a census point on the route within Saltcoats which was last counted on 26 May 1994. The total two-way traffic flow recorded was 17,150 vehicle movements over a 24-hour period of which 7 per cent. were heavy goods vehicles.

In addition to this, my consulting engineers employed to plan the proposed Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston bypass have undertaken a number of traffic surveys during 1992 and 1993. This information will be contained in the environmental assessment stage 3 report which will be available for inspection by interested parties upon publication of the order.