§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on economic activity of the Forest of Dean of the closures of the first Severn crossing bridge to vehicles in the past three months. [160781]
§ Mr. JamiesonClosures of the first Severn crossing bridge during high winds are done to ensure the safety of the road user. No specific assessment has been made of the economic effect of closing the first Severn bridge.
16WThe second Severn crossing provides an alternative route and this reduces the impact on the local economy of any closures of the first bridge.
§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether, when the Highways Agency makes the decision to close the first Severn crossing bridge, it differentiates between high-sided vehicles and saloon cars. [160782]
§ Mr. JamiesonWhen the first Severn bridge is closed for reasons of safety, the Highways Agency makes no differentiation between high-sided vehicles and saloon cars. There is no infrastructure at present to filter vehicles. The agency has commissioned a report on the viability of 'filtering out' high-sided vehicles, using enforcement cameras in conjunction with traffic signing. This report is expected to be completed this spring.
§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the Highways Agency informs the public of the instances of closure of the first Severn crossing bridge; and if he will review the adequacy of this process. [160783]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Highways Agency informs the public of bridge closures using advance traffic signing on the approaches to the M48 at Magor in the west and Almondsbury in the east. The agency's information line is also notified, together with other media sources. The effectiveness of this process is monitored regularly by the agency and other interested organisations.
17W
§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times, and for how long on each occasion, the first Severn crossing bridge has been closed to vehicles since the responsibility for doing so was transferred from the police to the Highways Agency. [160784]
§ Mr. JamiesonThere have been eight closures of the bridge due to high winds since the Highways Agency assumed responsibility from the police on 16 October 2003. Details are set out as follows.
Dates Times 2-3 November 2003 05.10 (Sunday)-15.55 (Monday) 14-15 November 2003 11.15 (Friday)-02.30 (Saturday) 26 December 2003 16.20-21.00 8 January 2004 08.45-17.10
Gust wind speed (knots) Threshold requirement (i.e. criteria set within the monitoring equipment) Response (i.e. action to he taken) 30 30 knots exceeded six times within any 10 minute period All matrix signs to be set to indicate 40 mph 35 35 knots exceeded three times in any 10 minute period. Leeward lane identified by wind direction Alternate matrix signs to be amended to indicate leeward lane closed in each direction 40 40 knots exceeded six times in any 10 minute period Close crossing to all traffic 60 Any gust exceeds 60 knots Close crossing to all traffic 70 Any gust exceeds 70 knots Crossing not to be re-opened until confirmed by Severn River Crossings plc to ensure no damage sustained Decreasing No gust has exceeded 30 knots within 30 minute period Seek authority to remove the imposed restrictions
§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons responsibility for decisions on when to close the first Severn crossing bridge was transferred from the police to the Highways Agency. [160786]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe police were concerned that individual police officers were required to be accountable for making the decision to close the first Severn bridge. They were unwilling to continue to be the primary decision maker in the closure process. The agency has taken responsibility for this role and ownership of the operating protocol.