Hansard

Department for Transport

Written Answers

9 October 2006

A36

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce his proposals for the relief of congestion on the A36(T) between College Roundabout in Salisbury and the start of the A36(T) dual carriageway at Petersfinger; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Ladyman: The Secretary of State has no proposals for the A36 at this location.

Officials in the Highways Agency have recently been consulted by Salisbury district council about a planning application submitted by Wiltshire county council for a park and ride site at Petersfinger which is designed to relieve congestion on this section of the A36.

In July officials notified Salisbury district council that they were satisfied the park and ride scheme could be implemented without compromising safety on the A36 road thereby opening the way for the planning application to be decided.

The timing of any consent and subsequent construction of the park and ride site is now a matter for Salisbury district and Wiltshire county councils respectively. Wiltshire will also need to reach agreement with the Highways Agency about funding for the works to be carried out on the A36 required to implement any consent.

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date in 1997 the announcement was made, that the A36(T) Salisbury Bypass would not be proceeded with; and by whom.

Dr. Ladyman: The announcement was made by my right hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, East (Dr. Strang), the then Minister of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 34-35.

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the recent decision not to proceed with the Wylye Valley Relief Road, the Salisbury Brunel Link Road and the Harnham Relief Road, if he will review the need for the proposed A36(T) Salisbury Bypass; what criteria he will apply to future decisions about roads in the Salisbury area; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Ladyman: The Secretary of State has no plans to review the need for the A36(T) Salisbury Bypass.

The A36 is part of ‘non core’ network and caters more for regional and local needs. It is in the process of being de-trunked (i.e. management transferred to the local highway authorities). Until it has been detrunked, the Highways Agency retains responsibility for its maintenance and any safety improvements it. Any other improvements in the Salisbury area would need to be promoted by Wiltshire county council.

If Wiltshire county council decided to promote such a scheme, the South West region would need to determine its position within their priorities for major transport infrastructure within a specified regional funding allocation (RFA). The Secretary of State would then consider the advice in light of available funding.