HC Deb 09 February 2000 vol 344 cc151-2W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he received(a) from Wiltshire County Council and (b) from named councillors in support of the provision of a pedestrian crossing on the A36(T) at South Newton, Wiltshire; [107640]

(2) for what reason he decided to construct a pedestrian crossing on the A36(T) at South Newton, Wiltshire; what type of crossing will be built; when it will be operating; and how much it will cost. [107641]

Mr. Hill

[holding answer 1 February 2000]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Robert Key, dated 9 February 2000: I have been asked by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the provision of a pedestrian crossing on the A36 trunk road at South Newton as these are operational matters for the Highways Agency. A written representation was received from Wiltshire County Council last December asking the Agency seriously to consider a pedestrian crossing at South Newton. In addition, Mr. West, a County Councillor for the area, has also asked orally for a pedestrian crossing to be provided there. The reason for providing a crossing is that a large part of the village is cut of from the village shop by a heavy traffic flow, and there have been personal injury accidents involving pedestrians crossing the A36 at this point. When taken together, these factors support the case for the provision of a crossing. A signal controlled crossing is to be provided and detail design work is programmed to commence in Spring of this year. We expect the crossing to be operational by Winter 2000. The estimated cost of this scheme is £30,000. If you require any further information, the Route Manager, Mr. Nigel Dovell, telephone 0117 987554, who is based in the Highways Agency's Bristol office, will be pleased to help you.