To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received on road traffic delays caused by poor junction design; and what steps is he taking to tackle poor junction design to improve traffic flows.
Answered on
17 June 2020
Local authorities are responsible for providing appropriate traffic management schemes for their roads. They are free to make their own decisions about the streets under their care, including junction design and operation, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. The Department has provided guidance to highway authorities on various types of junction design, including those mentioned here, in the form of the Traffic Signs Manual and other documents. Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual in particular provides guidance on various methods for traffic light control. It is for local authorities to decide which methods to use for the roads in their region.
Last year the Department consulted on a proposal to add a new condition to the set of national permit scheme conditions to require that activities placing new apparatus underground should, where possible and practical, be placed under the footway, footpath or verge. Concerns were raised in consultation responses that this would be unworkable, impractical and difficult to enforce, and would adversely impact pedestrians, especially older and disabled people. The Government therefore decided not to proceed with the proposal.