asked the Secretary of State for Transport what were the traffic forecast figures used in the design of the M4 (Severn Bridge), the M53 (Liverpool), the A470 (Cardiff), the M3 (Frimley-Lightwater), the M4 (Reading), the M6 (Gravelly Hill), the A3 (Hog's Back Flyover), the M5 (Taunton), the Al9 (Cleveland) and the A2 (Dover Harbour); and what are their present measured traffic volumes.
The available information for roads in England is as follows. The A470 (Cardiff) is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
Road
| Design Forecast
| Latest available traffic count
| ||||
Year of forecast
| Definition
| Year to which forecast relates
| Forecast * (vehicles)
| Year
| 24-hour AADF† (vehicles) | |
| M4 (Severn Bridge)‡ Junctions 21–22 | [1966] | Average 24-hour day | [1980] | [33,000] | 1981 | 33,000 |
| M53 (Wirral) Junctions 2–3 | 1966 | Evening Peak (1 hour) | 1990 | 5,000 | 1979 | 25,000 |
| Junctions 4–5 | 1966 | Evening Peak (1 hour) | 1990 | 5,500 | 1980 | 26,000 |
| M3 (Frimley-Lightwater) Junctions 3–4 | 1967 | Average 24-hour day | 1982 | 48,000 | 1981 | 42,000 |
| M4 (Reading) Junctions 9–10 | 1964 | Average 16-hour day | 1982 | 74,000 | 1980 | 56,000 |
| Junctions 11–12 | 1964 | Average 16-hour day | 1982 | 44,000 | 1981 | 42,000 |
| M6 (Gravelly Hill) Junctions 6–7 | Data not readily available | 1980 | 78,000 | |||
| A3 (Hog's Back Flyover) | Data not readily available | 1980 | 27,000 | |||
| M5 (Taunton) Junctions 24–25 | 1970 | Average 16-hour day | 1984 | 41,000 | 1980 | 19,000 |
| Al9 (Cleveland) | 1968 | Average 16-hour day | 1983 | 31,000 | 1979 | 32,000 |
| A2 (Dover Eastern Harbour) | 1974 | Average 16-hour August day | 1990 | 5,500 | 1979 | 16,000 |
Notes:
* 2-way flows.
† Annual Average Daily Flow—2-way.
‡ Design year forecast not readily available. The forecast shown was made in 1966 for the purpose of fixing tolls.
║Assuming the completion of the M20 to Folkestone and its extension to Dover (West).