§ Lord Fearnasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to improve the A570 link between Ormskirk and Southport. [HL3143]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonI have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr Tim Matthews, to write to the noble Lord.
Letter from the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr Tim Matthews, dated 8 March 2002.
The Minister of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, Lord Falconer, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Highways Agency's plans to improve the A570 link between Ormskirk and Southport.
As you may be aware, the Government's intention to transfer to Local Highway Authorities responsibility for around 40 per cent. of the then trunk road network (a process known as de-trunking) was announced in 'A new Deal for Trunk Roads in England' in July 1998. The aim was to get decisions on these roads taken at the level at which the relevant factors were best understood so that their management and improvement could be fully integrated with land use planning and local transport plans.
The A570 was one of the roads identified for detrunking. Our intention is to transfer responsibility for it to the local highway authorities, Lancashire County Council and Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, in April 2003. The necessary De-trunking Orders have been published and we are meeting the local authorities to discuss their concerns about the proposals.
In the run-up to de-trunking, we will be implementing a safety scheme to create a one-way gyratory system around the St Helens Road Park, signalise the junction and improve pedestrian facilities in the next financial year.
If you would like any further information about this please contact the Agency's Route Manager for the A570, Ziad El-balbisi, at Sunley Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester M1 4BE (telephone 0161 930 5822).