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Dept for Transport;Highways Agency

Answer

Mr. Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the closure of the M4 and Severn Bridge on 2-3 November; what criteria were used in deciding on the closure; and whether the revised protocol by the steering group was applied. [137065] Mr. Jamieson: I have asked the Acting Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Stephen Hickey, to write to my hon. Friend. Letter from Stephen Hickey to Mr. Huw Edwards, dated 13 November 2003: I have been asked by David Jamieson to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding the closure of the M4 and Severn Bridge on 2 to 3 November 2003. The Highways Agency took the decision to close the M48 Severn Bridge at 05.10 hours on Sunday 2 November when the wind was recorded as gusting in excess of 40 knots. The bridge reopened at 16.00 hours on Monday 3 November. The revised protocol by the steering group was applied; this protocol can be seen at Table 1. The M4 Second Severn Crossing was not closed. Table 1 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Gust wind speed (Knots) Threshold requirement (i.e. criteria set Response (i.e. Action to be Taken) within the monitoring equipment) 30 30 Knots exceeded six times within any 10 All matrix signs to be set to indicate minute period 40MPH 35 35 Knots exceeded three times in any Alternate matrix signs to be amended to 10-minute period. Leeward lane identified indicate leeward lane closed in each by wind direction direction. 40 40 Knots exceeded six times in any 10 Introduce height restriction strategy, (if minute period unavailable close to all traffic) Decreasing No gust has exceeded 30 knots within 30 Seek authority to remove the imposed minute period restrictions _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

413 c437-8W; 137065

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Closures Motorways Severn river crossing Wind M4

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk