Written question asked by Derek Wyatt (Labour) on Friday, 5 October 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 October 2007. It was answered by Tom Harris (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 October 2007 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Road Traffic Control: A249

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the average waiting times are during rush hour of vehicles on the A249 going to Maidstone from the Sittingbourne or Sheppey direction at the Junction 5 roundabout;

Answer: Through its watchman role, the Highways Agency continues to monitor the observed queues at junction 5 of the M2 during peak times but does not currently have a record of the average waiting times. Queuing is generally restricted to the A249 rather than the M2.As a consequence of earlier monitoring, the Agency invested £252,626 between 2000-01 and 2003-04 in the re-design and signalling of the Stockbury roundabout.Following this investment and further improvements in 2005, safety improved and the junction is now a relatively low priority in safety terms. The Agency continues to monitor the situation.

Secondary information