§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects measures to be put in place to alleviate traffic problems at junction 10 of the M42 motorway. [74553]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Brian Jenkins, dated 9 March 1999:
Glenda Jackson has asked Lawrie Haynes, the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, to reply to your recent question about when measures may be put in place to alleviate traffic problems at junction 10 of the M42 motorway. I am replying in Lawrie's absence from the office.I understand the concern about the operation of junction 10. Traffic congestion at this large junction is a particular problem during peak periods. There are also problems with the high speed of circulating traffic on the roundabout. All this contributes to tailbacks on the M42 and A5.The installation of the traffic lights on the northbound exit slip road some time ago has improved operation of this part of junction 10. However, congestion on the slip road is still a problem with queues extending back on to the M42. We are therefore preparing a scheme to provide a dedicated lane to connect the slip road direct to the west bound carriageway of the A5. This should greatly reduce queuing on the slip road, improve operation of the roundabout and make the junction safer.156WWe are also preparing a scheme to improve the merging area between the southbound entry slip road and the M42. This should improve conditions for traffic joining the motorway, reducing congestion in the merge area and make conditions safer for all drivers.It is difficult to give firm timings for carrying out these improvements until the preparation work is further advanced but we are planning for site work to begin in early 2000.In addition to these improvements, the Highways Agency is currently pursuing an agreement with developers who have proposals to develop the Birch Coppice site adjacent to the A5 east of junction 10. These proposals would include installing traffic signals on all arms of the roundabout at junction 10 and widening the circulating carriageway, similar to the works nearing completion at junction 9 on the M42. This would improve operation of the whole junction, reducing traffic speeds on the roundabout and making it easier and safer to use.I anticipate that we will soon reach agreement with the developers about the extent of the improvements to junction 10. However, the site does not yet have planning permission and there is no guarantee that it will go ahead. Should it not go forward we will review the improvements needed to the junction.I hope this is helpful.