Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 25 February 2015 to Question 225319, for what reasons the A483 upgrade project missed its extended deadline.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Highways England has rescheduled the scheme completion date to 28 June 2015 after further problems were uncovered during the strengthening works to the western bridge which required revised designs and approvals which had subsequent impacts on the available work areas resulting in an overall programme delay.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he is satisfied with the quality of the information that his Department has given to motorists during the A55/A483 upgrade project.
Answered by Andrew Jones
I am satisfied that Highways England has provided information of the appropriate quality for motorists. Prior to construction work starting, a public exhibition was held on 5 September 2014, with a further public exhibition on 11 December 2014.
Throughout the project, other information has been provided for motorists via:
· Local radio messages, live radio interviews advising motorists to use alternative routes;
· On-site visitor centre;
· Temporary roadside signs;
· Portable electronic message signs on the M56 Motorway just before the junction with the M53 (the M53 continues as the A55);
· Press releases and Twitter feed updates.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had about the economic effect of the delays to the A55/A483 upgrade project on the area with (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Answered by Andrew Jones
I and my Ministerial colleagues have regular discussions with HM Treasury and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Ministers, though there has been no specific discussion on this issue.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an estimate of the cost of the delays to the A55/A483 upgrade project to (a) the public purse and (b) businesses within 10 miles of the project.
Answered by Andrew Jones
An accurate estimate of the costs can only be determined when the scheme is completed and the final accounts calculated.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from local (a) authorities and (b) businesses on delays to the A55/A483 upgrade project.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Secretary of State has not received representations.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he last discussed the progress of the A483 upgrade with Highways England; and what the outcome of that discussion was.
Answered by Andrew Jones
There have been no discussions on the A483 upgrade. Progress on the A55/A483 pinch point scheme was discussed with Highways England in February 2015. The outcome of the discussion was that the completion date for the scheme would be rescheduled to 10 May 2015, as set out in the answer of 2 March (UIN 225319). The scheme completion date has since been rescheduled to 28 June 2015.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) original and (b) revised timetable is for works carried out at the junction of the A483 and A55 roads in West Cheshire.
Answered by John Hayes
The original timetable for the works had a programmed completion date of 31 March 2015. In the current timetable this date has been revised to 10 May 2015. This slippage is due to adverse weather, and problems encountered with drainage and bridge strengthening works. The Agency has been assessing with its contractors how the remaining work can be completed to the original programme and will make every effort to complete the works as soon as possible.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will carry out an urgent assessment of the quality of the work carried out at the junction of the A483 and A55 supervised by the Highways Agency.
Answered by John Hayes
The Highways Agency holds regular review meetings and challenges all aspects of project delivery of the scheme at the junction of the A483 and A55 including such aspects as programme and quality.
The scheme is supervised on the ground by the Agency’s maintenance contractor who ensures quality standards are achieved and supervisors check and challenge all aspects of the works to ensure that workmanship, materials and methods of construction meet the required Agency standards.
The Agency requires its contractors to operate under a quality management system that complies with ISO9001 and any defects or failures in quality will be addressed under this process.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Phase 1 and 2 modular rail signalling upgrade in North Wales will proceed in 2015.
Answered by Claire Perry
I have been advised by Network Rail that the North Wales Coast Line re-signalling scheme will be delivered in 2 phases.
Phase 1 between Rockliffe Hall and Llandudno is planned for completion in summer 2016.
Phase 2 between Llandudno and Holyhead is planned for completion in CP6 (2019-24).