To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many traffic surveys assessing the Cophall roundabout on the A27 at Polegate were undertaken (a) before and (b) after the service station development at the Cophall roundabout was built. (94369)

The information is as follows:

(a) A traffic impact assessment of the effect of the service area on the Cophall roundabout was carried out by the developer prior to planning consent being given. At that stage the roundabout had not been completed, surveys of actual traffic flows could not be carried out. The impact assessment relied on forecast traffic flows.

(b) The Highways Agency is currently undertaking a traffic count to collect ‘live’ traffic data in order to update and verify the impact assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions control computer malfunctions have occurred at the Cophall roundabout on the A27 at Polegate; and on how many of these occasions severe congestion ensued. (94371)

There has been only one control computer malfunction which became apparent after the traffic lights were switched on in May 2006. This resulted in traffic congestion on the roundabout and its approaches.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors underpinned the decision of the Highways Agency to switch off the traffic lights at the Cophall roundabout on the A27 at Polegate in May 2006; and if he will make a statement. (94372)

After the traffic lights were switched on in May 2006 a validation of the system was carried out and this identified a problem of a malfunctioning chip. The lights were switched off and the chip was replaced. It was decided not to switch the traffic lights back on until further traffic survey work is completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he estimates that the traffic lights at the Cophall roundabout on the A27 at Polegate will be switched back on. (94373)

Once the further traffic count is complete, the Highways Agency needs to evaluate the findings and design any changes that are considered necessary. We expect this to be before December 2006. The traffic lights will only be switched back on if the new traffic survey data indicates a need for them at this stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what timetable he has established for clarification of the road markings at the Cophall roundabout on the A27 at Polegate. (94374)

The Highways Agency plans to improve these road markings by the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent since the opening of the Cophall roundabout on the A27 at Polegate on dealing with consequential problems related to the roundabout. (94375)

The cost for the installation of traffic signals was approximately £600,000. This work has been funded by the developer of the service area as a planning condition of that development.