§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the feasibility schemes put up to the Highways Agency by Northumberland county council in respect of the route of the Al in Northumberland; when these schemes were received; and which ones he proposes to implement; [9497]
(2) if he will list the article 14 highway directives issued in respect of the A1 from the new Tyne crossing to the Gorforth Park iterchange; and if those directions are still in force; [9496]
(3) for what purpose he has issued article 14 directives in respect of the A1 between the new Tyne crossing and the Gorforth Park interchange. [9515]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 22 July 1997:
The Minister for Transport in London has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the A1 North of Newcastle.You asked for a list of the feasibility schemes which Northumberland County Council have put to the Highways Agency in respect of the route of the A1 in Northumberland.The County Council submitted a report on the feasibility of dualling sections of the A1 at the end of March 1997. The recommendations are being studied, but it would be inappropriate to list them at this stage because it could cause unnecessary Blight on long sections of the A1. A decision on the schemes may of course also be affected by the reviews announced recently by the Minister.You also asked for a list of all Article 14 Highway Directions issued in respect of the A1 from the new Tyne Crossing to the Gosforth Park Interchange and if those Directions are still in force.The Agency has issued two such Directions with respect to planning applications for Newburn Haugh and Newcastle Airport. The purpose for these is:Newburn Haugh
The Agency has directed conditions on an application to cover improvements needed to the A1 southbound of slip road and the Scotswood Road junction as well as improvements to Scotswood Road (local highway). Planning permission was granted on 8 November 1996.Newcastle Airport Terminal Extension
The Agency has directed conditions to cover improvements needed to the A696 and A696/A1 junction to facilitate the development. The development now has planning permission.