HC Deb 03 December 2001 vol 376 cc31-2W
Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the Highways Agency's plans to cut back vegetation obscuring vision at the A41 roundabout at High Street and Stocklake, Aylesbury; [19706]

(2) when he expects the Highways Agency to replace missing signposts at the (a) A41 Henley roundabout at the left turn into Haydon Road and Weedon Road, Aylesbury, and (b) A41 High Street, Aylesbury, by Vale Park. [19705]

Mr. Jamieson

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member about these operational issues affecting the A41 trunk road.

Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. David Lidington, dated 3 December 2001: The Transport Minister, David Jamieson, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the A41 in Aylesbury. The signs situated at the left turn into Haydon Road and Weedon Road at the Henley Roundabout, Aylesbury and the High Street, Aylesbury, by Vale Park were subject to vandalism and in one case accidental collision. I am pleased to inform you that replacement signs are currently being manufactured and will be erected by mid December. Work to cut back vegetation on roundabouts is undertaken as a matter of routine during the winter pruning maintenance period between now and March. Where there is a particular safety concern immediate action is taken. The roundabout on the A41 at High Street and Stocklake, Aylesbury was not considered to be a cause for concern in terms of safety. However, the roundabout has been inspected again and there is now ivy growing over a directional sign, which will be removed as a matter of urgency. I hope this reply is helpful.