To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the primary route network in England was last fully reviewed; when she next intends to review it to reflect the effects of changes in places of economic and social importance on traffic importance; and what criteria are set for the network to ensure that it is appropriate and that its operation is effective.
The Primary Route Network (PRN) is a national network which exists to aid navigation for long-distance traffic. It connects Primary Route Destinations in England and comprises all non-motorway trunk roads and the most important local roads.
A review of the Primary Route Network took place in the mid-1980s. The Regional Offices of the Department for Transport (as it then was) conducted the review in consultation with county highway authorities.
The approval of minor alterations to the PRN is delegated to the Government Offices for the Regions (changes where there are no implications for signage beyond the immediate section of the road which is subject to the change). Where a Government Office wants a major change to the network or change to the primary destinations this must be approved by the Department for Transport centrally. The criteria used to set the network are that the Primary Routes must be the most satisfactory routes for through traffic between places of traffic importance in the opinion of the Secretary of State (although for non-trunk roads this opinion will be formed after consultation with the traffic authority for the road).
We currently have no plans to undertake a fundamental review of the current Primary Route Network but in taking forward our proposals for improving our longer-term strategic transport planning processes, as set out in Towards a Sustainable Transport System, we will of course ensure coherence between the long-term planning for our strategic national transport networks, and the Primary Route Network.
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