HC Deb 25 February 1998 vol 307 cc221-2W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the feasibility studies undertaken to improve the A49 between Shrewsbury and Ludlow. [30784]

Ms Glenda Jackson

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 25 February 1998: The Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson has asked me to reply to your recent question about feasibility studies undertaken to improve the A49 between Shrewsbury and Ludlow. In 1994 a study of accidents was carried out on the A49 south of Shrewsbury. This identified the need for a number of safety improvements which were subsequently put in place. Currently we have two feasibility studies under way in your constituency, one examining options for traffic calming at Leebotwood and the other into the possible provision of a pedestrian crossing at Dorrington. Reports on both of these studies are expected next month. We are also carrying out feasibility studies at Craven Arms, Church Stretton and Ashford Bowdler. Reports on all of these studies are expected by the end of March. If you would like more details on any of these proposals Tom Barry, the Area Manager for the A49, would be pleased to provide them. Tom can be contacted on 0121–678–8366.

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) road traffic accidents, (b) resultant fatalities and (c) resultant injuries were recorded on the A49 between Shrewsbury and Ludlow for each year since 1977.[30783]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The information requested is available from 1979 and is shown in the table.

Accidents and casualties on the A49 between Shrewsbury and Ludlow: 1979–1996
Severity of casualty
All accidents Fatal Injured All casualties
1979 96 4 129 133
1980 73 11 103 114
1981 57 4 82 86
1982 62 2 83 85
1983 50 1 87 88
1984 66 1 99 100
1985 76 11 111 122
1986 61 3 80 83
1987 69 4 100 104
1988 73 0 126 126
1989 73 3 101 104
1990 90 6 136 142
1991 54 2 73 75
1992 65 7 101 108
1993 48 4 72 76
1994 53 8 84 92
1995 44 3 91 94
1996 45 3 58 61
Total 1,155 77 1,716 1,793