HC Deb 17 July 2001 vol 372 cc89-90W
Mr. Syms

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much of the trunk road network has been given a lower noise surface in the past 12 months; and when he intends that(a) 10 per cent., (b) 25 per cent., (c) 50 per cent. and (d) 60 per cent. of the trunk road network will have received such a service. [3549]

Mr. Jamieson

Over 3 per cent. of the network received a lower noise surface during the last year. A target has been set in Transport 2010, the 10-year Plan, for 60 per cent. of the trunk road network to have lower noise surfacing by March 2011, including all concrete surfaces. A detailed 10 year programme is not available, but approximately 6 per cent. of the network is expected to be treated annually. On this basis 10 per cent. would be achieved by 2002, 25 per cent. by 2005, 50 per cent. by 2009 and 60 per cent. by 2011.

Mr. Syms

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list each of the roads in the Highways Agency Targeted Programme of Improvements indicating in each case(a) when work is likely to commence and (b) when the road is likely to be opened. [R][3550]

Mr. Jamieson

Contracts have been let and in most cases work has begun on the following 14 schemes in the Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI) to the trunk road network. The planned completion date is as shown:

Planned completion
A1 Willburn-Denwick Improvement Winter 2002
A6 Clapham Bypass Spring 2003
A6 Great Glen Bypass Winter 2002
A11 Roundham Heath-Attleborough Dualling Spring 2003
A27 Polegate Bypass Summer 2002
A41 Aston Clinton Bypass Summer 2003
Planned completion
A43 Whitfield Turn-Brackley Hatch Improvement Summer 2002
A43 Silverstone Bypass Summer 2002
A43 M40-B4031 Dualling Summer 2002
A63 Selby Bypass Winter 2003
A66 Stainburn and Great Clifton Bypass Winter 2002
A500 Basford, Hough, Shavington Bypass Summer 2003
A650 Bingley Relief Road Winter 2003
A1033 Hedon Road Improvement, Hull Summer 2003

The following contracts are still to be let in the years stated. The precise timing of the start of work will be a matter for the contractor:

2001–02

  • A5 Nesscliffe Bypass
  • A6 Rothwell-Desborough Bypass
  • A6 Rushden and Higham Ferrers Bypass
  • A10 Wadesmill-Colliers End Bypass
  • A21 Lamberhurst Bypass
  • A46 Newmark-Lincoln Improvement
  • A120 Stansted Braintree

2002–03

  • A6 Alvaston
  • M25 J 12–15 Widening
  • A1(M) Ferrybridge to Hook Moor
  • A1(M) Wetherby to Walshford

2003–04

  • A249 Iwade-Queensborough Improvement
  • M60 J 5–8(formerly M63 J6–9 Widening).

Start dates for construction of the remaining schemes in the TPI cannot yet be set as they are still subject to the completion of the remaining statutory procedures. Those schemes are:

  • A2 Bean-Cobham Widening Phase 1
  • A2 Bean-Cobham Widening Phase 2
  • A11 Fiveways to Thetford Improvement
  • A11 Attleborough Bypass Improvement
  • A34 Chieveley/M4 J 13 Improvement
  • A2 A2/A282 Dartford Improvement
  • A5 Weeford-Fazeley Improvement
  • A14 Rookery Crossroads Grade Separated Junction
  • A47 Thorney Bypass
  • A63 Melton Grade Separated Junction
  • A74 Carlisle-Guardsmill upgrading to motorway
  • A303 Stonehenge
  • A421 Great Barford Bypass
  • A500 City Road/Stoke Road.

Eight schemes were added to the TPI on 28 March 2001. Two schemes, A3 Hindhead Improvement and A30 Bodmin—Indian Queens Improvement, are subject to statutory procedures. For the remaining six schemes the next stage is under review:

  • M62 Junction 6 Improvement
  • A1 Peterborough-Blyth Grade Separated Junctions
  • A14 Haughley New Street—Stowmarket Improvement
  • A38 Dobwalls Bypass
  • A46 Newmark—Widmerpool Improvement
  • A595 Parton—Lillyhall Improvement.