Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had any discussions with National Highways on banning HGV through traffic from Newbury town centre when the A34 is closed.

Diversion routes which include those through Newbury town centre are not part of the Strategic Road Network therefore are managed by the Local Authority.

National Highways diversion routes are longstanding and agreed with the local authorities. Annual reviews are conducted to ensure that they remain fit for purpose and able to accommodate the type and volume of traffic using a given route, for example Heavy Goods Vehicles.