M25 widening: wait for it, says Ridley
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DECISIONS on widening sections of the M25 London ringway must wait until the remaining sections open later this year, Transport Secretary Nicholas Ridley said last week.
He was speaking at the opening of the 13.7km (8.5 mile) Kent section between Swanley and Sevenoaks five months ahead of schedule. That leaves only the sections between Junctions 19 and 23 (connecting with the M1 and A l(M)) which are scheduled to open in stages between September and November this year.
Ridley criticised "Jeremiahs" who highlight the M25's weaknesses, and said: "We are told that it is inadequate to carry the traffic using it. We are told that it is badly designed and is a death trap.
"That is quite wrong. The M25 is well used, which is all to the good. There is undoubtedly pressure on some south-west sections. But I believe that is largely a peak time problem."
He said many sections of the M25 were designed in the Seventies, before traffic grew as fast as it has more recently, but revisions to the plan would have delayed construction for much longer.
"This does not mean that we have not allowed for growth; lengths of this motorway in the south-west sector have been built so that they can be widened to dual four lanes it' necessary," said Ridley.
"But we must wait until the whole motorway is open and traffic pattern has settled down before we start jumping to conclusions."