§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what monitoring of air quality has been conducted, and what were the results thereof, in relation to the A13 and abutting residential areas, from the vicinity of Dagenham Dock to Central London; and if he will make a statement. [82034]
§ Ms Glenda Jackson[holding answer 26 April 1999]: Local air quality studies of the existing levels of pollutants were undertaken by the Highways Agency in 1992 and in 143W 1998 in order to assess the potential effect of the proposed junction improvement schemes for this section of the A13. The most recent monitoring data were gathered in the vicinity of the A13/A112 Prince Regent Lane junction for the period January to May 1998. The pollutants monitored were Carbon Monoxide, PM10, Nitrogen Dioxide, Benzene and 1–3 Butadiene.
When compared with National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS) objectives, to be achieved in 2005, the monitoring data indicate that the objective for PM10 (50 microgrammes per cubic metre as a running 24 hour mean) is currently exceeded. However, as a non-standard measuring method was used, the scale of this likely exceedence cannot be certain. The 99 percentile of a running 24 hour mean over the monitoring period was 113 microgrammes per cubic metre at the roadside. Mean Nitrogen Dioxide measurements exceeded the value of the NAQS annual mean objective (21 ppb) and were made using the standard method. The mean roadside concentration was 38 ppb. It is therefore possible that the 2005 objective is currently exceeded but a longer period of monitoring would be needed to confirm this. Monitoring of the other pollutants indicated current levels below the 2005 objectives.
Local authorities are currently monitoring air quality more generally in their areas as part of the local air quality management process, with the aim of achieving the objectives of the NAQS by the year 2005. Where a local authority's review and assessment of local air quality indicates that air quality objectives are not likely to be met, then local authorities must declare Air Quality Management Areas. For each Air Quality Management Area, the local authority must draw up an action plan, setting out measures through which the objectives may be achieved.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what information he has obtained about the speed of traffic movements, congestion and impediments to mobility at peak times on the A13 from the vicinity of Dagenham Dock to Central London; and if he will make a statement; [82033]
(2) if he will convene a meeting of representatives of the Highways Agency, the London boroughs and the Traffic Section of the Metropolitan Police to examine what interim measures could be introduced to minimise traffic congestion and to maximise mobility in the westbound section of the A13 from the vicinity of Dagenham Dock to Central London; and if he will make a statement; [82031]
(3) what assessment his Department has made of the frequency and scale of congestion on the westbound A 13 section from the vicinity of Dagenham Dock to Central London; and if he will make a statement. [82032]
§ Ms Glenda Jackson[holding answer 26 April 1999]: As these questions relate to operational matters, I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.
144WLetter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Andrew Mackinley, dated April 1999:
Thank you for the Parliamentary Questions that you have tabled on the subjects of congestion, traffic speeds, and mobility on the A13 from Dagenham Dock to Central London. As these are operational matters they have been passed to the Highways Agency for me to reply.Traffic congestion on the A13, particularly during peak periods, is undoubtedly a problem. The Highways Agency employs a number of methods to monitor congestion on trunk roads such as the A13. These include the formulation of traffic stress maps (Narnas) which were reproduced in the Roads Review report "A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England". A copy of this document has been placed in the House of Commons library and I enclose copies of the London maps for your information. We are developing various ways of monitoring congestion from day to day including analysing data from traffic loops installed in the road and data supplied by Trafficmaster. However, none of these newer systems is yet in operation on the A13.Traffic speed on the A13 is also an issue. Traffic speeds are monitored by DETR in a programme of speed surveys. Surveys of traffic speeds on the A13 were last carried out in 1995 and 1998. Although the 1998 survey results have not yet been published, provisional indications are that there has been a substantial fall in average speeds during peak times on the A13 between these two dates. This suggests that journey times are getting worse and congestion is increasing on the A13.We hold regular meetings with representatives of the relevant London Boroughs to discuss the operation, maintenance and management of the A13 with the aim of making the best use of the available road space, to minimise congestion and maximise mobility. This is achieved by implementing a number of policies including ensuring that maintenance is carried out at off-peak times, undertaking small improvement schemes at junctions and optimising traffic signal timings. Acting as our maintaining agents the Boroughs also regularly meet officers from the Metropolitan Police to discuss these issues.Demand for road space on the A13 does exceed capacity, particularly at peak times. We have nearly completed the construction of a major new route for the A13 extending from Dagenham Dock out to the M25 which will be fully open to traffic later this year. In addition tenders are being assessed for the A13 Thames Gateway Design, Build, Finance, and Operate (DBFO) project as part of the Government's roads programme. This project includes major junction reconstruction schemes at Movers Lane, the A117 near Beckton Alps and Ironbridge to Canning Town, which have been designed to ease congestion and reduce accidents on the A 13 between Dagenham Dock and Central London. Subject to a satisfactory tender being accepted they are likely to be completed within five years of the letting of the DBFO contract, due to incentives provided to the DBFO company to programme the schemes early in their contract.I hope that I have answered your questions to your satisfaction.