§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action he proposes to take about the worst 10 accident black spots on the trunk and primary route network, with particular reference to the A5 from the A45 to the A428 in the Daventry constituency; and if he will discuss these accident black spots with the Automobile Association. [38454]
§ Mr. Jamieson[holding answer 28 February 2002]: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. Tim Boswell, dated 4 March 2002:
The Transport Minister, David Jamieson, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the worst 10 accident black spots on the trunk and primary route network and in particular, on the A5 in the Daventry constituency.Safety is a high priority for the Highways Agency and we welcome the initiative that the AA has recently taken in alerting drivers to the need to take care when using the strategic road network. The Agency's network is one of the safest in the world and, since 1998, the number of those killed and seriously injured on these roads has been reduced by more than 400. However, there is no room for complacency. The Government's Ten Year Plan for Transport sets a target for measures to be taken to further reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the strategic road network by a third by 2010, with a 10% reduction in the slight casualty rate.We are aware of the safety issues highlighted by the AA and, on certain stretches of the trunk road network we have taken, or are planning, steps to improve them. We are delivering 100 small improvement schemes, half of which are aimed specifically at improving safety at locations on the trunk road network, in addition to the programme of major improvements, eight of which are expected to be completed by March 2003. We have regular meetings with the AA and other representative road user groups at which these issues are discussed.The AA identified the A5 between Daventry and Rugby as the 11th most dangerous route in Britain. Since 1999, when data for the AA's survey was collected, a safety scheme between Kilsby and Weedon has been completed. This involved providing improved signing and road markings and the introduction of a Police speed check area. Accident data from January 2000 to August 2001 shows that there has been a noticeable reduction and, although it is still too early to fully assess this reduction, early indications are encouraging. In addition, we propose to install speed cameras in the Watford Gap area and that the speed limit there be reduced to 50 mph.