Road Junction Safety
1/16. What steps she is taking help improve safety at road junctions.
Earlier this year, this Government published the first national road safety strategy in over a decade, setting out how we will cut road deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035. In March, we announced the third road investment strategy, which includes a targeted fund to improve safety at junctions on the strategic road network, and we are investing £21 billion of local transport funding in regional and local authorities so that they are able to make improvements on the parts of the network for which they are responsible.
In my constituency of Surrey Heath, the M3/A322 junction between Bagshot and Lightwater remains a serious congestion bottleneck for local residents and a serious source of frustration for motorway users—it is notorious on all morning travel reports. Poor advance signage and a confusing road layout cause frequent near misses and dangerous last-minute manoeuvres. We can add to the mix a doubling of housing targets in our local area. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that critical junctions are safe, clearly signposted and fit for future population growth?
I am aware of the hon. Gentleman’s concerns about the M3/A322 junction, and I understand that some improvements have already been made to the northbound section. It is Surrey county council’s responsibility to make improvements at the junction—I understand that it has the ability to make changes to traffic lights, for example. I suggest that the hon. Gentleman continue the conversation with Surrey county council. The Liberal Democrats, who now form a larger group on the council, may be able to influence the thinking of that local authority.
Little Parndon, Pemberley academy and Latton Green are three primary schools in my constituency of Harlow that have raised concerns about road safety outside their schools. They have asked the county council to consider introducing zebra crossings, but they are not eligible because they are too close to a junction. Will the Secretary of State or one of her Ministers meet me to discuss this issue and whether we can change the guidance, so that young people can be safe when crossing the road outside their school?
I am really keen to ensure that we have safe routes to school, and that we enable more children and their families to walk and cycle to school more often. I would be very happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the particular situation in his constituency, and I advise him to look out for the publication of the third cycling and walking investment strategy tomorrow. It will have more information on the work we are doing to improve journeys to school for children.
Surely it will be coming to the House first.
