§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further developments are planned to improve the safety and capacity of junctions on the stretch of the A43 between junction 15A of the M1 and junction 10 of the M40. [144480]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have asked the Chief Executive of Highways Agency, Mr. Archie Robertson, to write to the hon. Member.
1010WLetter from Archie Robertson to Mr. Tim Boswell, dated 18 December 2003:
I have been asked by the Transport Minister, David Jamieson to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what further developments are planned to improve safety and the capacity of junctions on the A43 between Junction 15A of the M1 and Junction 10 of the M40.
There were 3 improvement schemes on the A43: A43 M40—B4031 dualling; A43 Whitfield Turn—Brackley Hatch Improvement and the A43 Silverstone Bypass scheme which were all opened to traffic in September 2002. These schemes have already relieved many of the safety and capacity issues on the A43.
Further developments include:
A Route Management Strategy (RMS) is currently being developed for the complete length of the A43 trunk road between M1 J15A and M40 J10 as part of an RMS studying the length of the A43 and A45 route between the M40 and A14.An accident analysis study is currently in progress at the A43/M40 J10. This study is due to report in the spring of 2004. A broader ranging study to examine congestion factors at A43/M40 J10 is planned for 2004–05.A study into the short term and long-term options to relieve congestion at A43/A5 Tove junction is due to report in 2004.Investigation of improved traffic signing and road markings at A43 Blisworth/Tiffield junctions.If you would like to discuss any of these issues in more detail, you are welcome to contact the Highways Agency's Route Manager, Steve Davy, 49/53 Goldington Road, Bedford, MK40 3LL or via e-mail at steve.davy@highways.gsi.gov.uk