M5: Repairs and Maintenance

Mr. Laurence Robertson
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies the Highways Agency has undertaken into possible improvements to the culvert of the Carrant Brook under the M5 between junctions 8 and 9; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark
I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 18 December 2008, Official Report, column 1007W, to his previous question, which gave details of the work carried out by the Highways Agency to clear culverts and drains between Junctions 8 and 11a of the M5. This work identified maintenance requirements which are now being carefully monitored, but did not show a particular problem at the Carrant Brook culvert. As a result, the Highways Agency does not consider that a further specific study of this culvert is necessary at this stage.

Mr. Laurence Robertson
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent works to improve drainage have been undertaken between junction 8 of the M5 junction and junction 1 of the M50; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark
The Highways Agency has carried out the following investigatory work at this location:

Schemes to repair damaged drainage systems have been identified and are currently being priced and will be entered into future programmes;

Problems were identified with a Severn Trent water main being located within the present drainage system and the company has been contacted. They are programming work to remove this;

Removal of tree roots within the drainage system to improve capacity; and

Liaison with local land owners has resulted in them increasing drainage capacity on their land to prevent run-off onto the motorway.