House of Commons Hansard Debates for 10 Jul 1989

Mr. Portillo : I have discussed these matters with British Rail which is still working on the plan which it is producing under section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act.

35. Mr Rowe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has made any progress with his plans to encourage participation by the private sector in British Rail's high-speed rail link ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo : British Rail is currently discussing its proposals for the high speed rail link with a number of private sector interests.

48. Ms. Harman : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss the rail link from the Channel tunnel.

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Mr. Portillo : My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman regularly to discuss a wide range of issues, including from time to time, the Channel tunnel rail link. Our next meeting is tomorrow.

49. Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much Government investment is taking place this year in Nottinghamshire (a) on roads and (b) on rail.

Mr. Portillo : The Department's planned investment on roads in Nottinghamshire in the year 1989-90 is £14.806 million. This includes new construction, preparation of new schemes, maintenance on trunk roads and motorways and TSG support for county council schemes. The Government do not invest directly in railways. British Rail cannot provide information on its investment on a county basis.

East London Assessment Study

28. Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation he proposes with people affected by the east London assessment study plans after publication of the consultants' report.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Ms. Ruddock) on 24 April at column 441.

M1 (Sheffield)

30. Mr. Patnick : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much of the transport supplementary grant has been allocated in 1989-90 for developing the Sheffield M1 link via Mossborough.

Mr. Bottomley : Transport supplementary grant is paid at a flat rate of 50 per cent. on an accepted programme of expenditure for each local highway authority. Expenditure of £1.025 million on the Sheffield--M1 link via Mossborough is part of Sheffield city council's 1989-90 accepted programme.

Road Deaths

33. Mr. Tim Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people were killed on Britain's roads in 1978 and 1988.

Mr. Bottomley : In 1978, there were 6,831 deaths in road accidents in Great Britain. Provisional figures for 1988 show that 5,041 people died on the roads, a fall of just over one quarter.

In the same period traffic has increased by 40 per cent. and the number of vehicles licensed has increased by 30 per cent.

Routemasters

34. Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the implications for central Government financial support of London Regional Transport of the proposed sale of 50 Routemasters to Japan.

Mr. Portillo : Income from the sale of surplus assets by London Regional Transport offsets its need for Government grant.

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British Rail

36. Mr. Knox : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next expects to meet the chairman of British Rail ; and what subjects he expects to discuss with him.

Mr. Portillo : I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Bennett) and the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) earlier today.

Western Environmental Improvement Route

37. Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many letters he has received regarding the possible development of the western environmental improvement route ; and what was the number in favour and the number against this proposed route.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : The large response to the public consultation held earlier this year is being analysed.

A decision on the future of the western environmental improvement route will not be taken until we reach conclusions on the west London assessment study. We intend to announce the outcome of the public consultation.

Public Transport

38. Mr. Hardy : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to prepare for a marked expansion of public transport within conurbations.

Mr. Portillo : The central and east London rail studies are considering proposals for three new rail lines in London as well as a programme to upgrade the existing network. The four London assessment studies are looking at whether public transport improvements might help to solve the problems which those studies are addressing. The Department is considering a number of light rail projects in urban areas outside London for which grant support is being sought under section 56 of the Transport Act 1968.

London Regional Transport

39. Mr. Livingstone : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chair of London Regional Transport ; and what matters were discussed.

Mr. Portillo : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I met Mr. Wilfred Newton on 3 July. A variety of matters were discussed.

Barnstaple Roads

40. Mr. Speller : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy on the early construction of the Barnstaple downstream bridge and the completion of the bypass around Barnstaple.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : My right hon. Friend will open the trunk road bypass of Barnstaple on 18 July. Devon county council is entirely responsible for the timing and priority accorded to its schemes for the Barnstaple downstream bridge and stage IV of the urban relief road.

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Submarines and Fishing Boats

41. Mr. Foulkes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received about incidents involving submarines and fishing boats ; what action he is taking ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo : The Department has received one representation. It was dealt with by way of ministerial correspondence.

Lane Rentals

42. Mr. Aspinwall : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his assessment of how much lane rental contracts have saved motorists.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : From their introduction in 1984 until March 1988, lane rental contracts on motorways and trunk roads are estimated to have saved about 2,000 days of delay worth £35 million to road users. Results for 1988-89 are not yet available.

Rail Freight (Wales)

43. Mr. Roy Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has had any recent discussions with the chairman of British Rail about the provision of European freight facilities in south-east Wales.

Mr. Portillo : I have discussed with British Rail its plans for Channel tunnel services.

British Rail is still working on the plan which it is producing under section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act.

Motorway Driving

46. Mr. Marlow : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department has conducted research to establish whether there is a form of technology that could be used on motorways as a means of establishing whether a particular driver is driving too close to the vehicle in front.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : Existing technology can be used on motorways to help establish whether a particular driver is driving too close to the vehicle in front. It is for the police to decide when it may be appropriate to set up such equipment, and whether it is likely to be effective in persuading drivers to comply with the safe following distances recommended in the highway code.

Some police forces are also experimenting with the use of video camera to bring home to drivers the dangers of following too close. Drivers should use their eyes, minds and experience.

Roads (Oxfordshire)

47. Mr. Baldry : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent by his Department on roads in Oxfordshire over the last five years ; and how much he anticipates being spent over the next five years.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : Figures are not readily available in the form requested. In the three years from April 1986 to March 1989 the Department spent £37.8 million in connection with motorway and trunk road new construction and maintenance in Oxfordshire, excluding land costs.

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We are planning to spend a further £47.5 million this financial year, mainly on A43 Peartree Hill- Wendlebury, A41 Bicester bypass stage 1, and the M40 Waterstock-Wendlebury scheme for which the contract was let on 28 June.

In addition, for the five-year period from April 1985 to March 1990, £3.148 million has been made available to the county council under transport supplementary grant for local road schemes.

Further expenditure will depend upon progress with the scheme and availability of funds.

Transport Investment (Nottinghamshire)

49. Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much Government investment is taking place this year in Nottinghamshire (a) on roads ad (b) on rail.

Trees

50. Mr. Mans : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trees were planted by his Department in England in 1988-89.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : One million four hundred thousand.

Drink-Driving

52. Mr. Ken Hargreaves : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider introducing a programme to change the attitudes of drunk drivers.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : We announced proposals to carry out a major experiment in the use of rehabilitation courses designed to influence the attitudes of drunk drivers in the White Paper "The Road User and the Law" published on 7 February this year. In England and Wales, enabling powers will be required for the courts to order rehabilitation for those convicted of drink-drive offences. In Scotland, we are looking into the possibility of setting up a trial scheme employing the existing powers of the courts.

Motorway Safety

53. Mr. Dickens : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for making motorways safer.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : In April last year, the Secretary of State announced a package of measures designed to improve the overall level of safety on motorways. Many of these measures were implemented rapidly. Others, involving regulatory procedures or new research are for the longer term.

We are anxious to improve the standard of driving on motorways. We have produced 1 million leaflets offering advice on the key safety rules for motorway driving. We

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are encouraging newly qualified drivers to take additional tuition on motorway driving after passing the L test and before actually taking to the motorway.

The motorway safety package included measures to improve safety at roadworks. From 1 August last year, speed limits at major motorway roadworks and contraflows were made mandatory and traffic at these sites is being monitored by video equipment. At contraflows, lorries are now normally restricted to the near side lane.

New regulations are currently being prepared which will allow vehicles at the end of a slow moving queue to switch on their hazard warning lights.

The "Lane Closed" gantry signal (flashing red lights) is being replaced so as to display a red cross which will be more readily understood. Similarly, the symbol showing the end of restrictions will be replaced by the word "End". These changes will be implemented progressively, over several years.

A trial of 70 mph speed limit repeater signs on the M1 has been taking place since last September to establish their effect on vehicle speed.

We shall shortly be experimenting with "Chevron markings" to see if they help drivers to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. The Department is also co-operating with some private sector companies to produce road safety publicity material. Amongst recent initiatives is a video recently produced by the Association of British Insurers called "Happens All The Time". This brings home the main lessons on safer motorway driving to 17 to 24-year-olds.

Sprinter Trains

54. Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last discussed the supply of Sprinter class trains with the chairman of British Rail.

Mr. Portillo : In April of this year, when I gave approval for a further tranche of class 158 express Sprinter trains.

New Roads by New Means"

55. Mr. David Evans : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received in response to his consultation document "New Roads by New Means".

Mr. Peter Bottomley : We have received a number of representations to date, mostly positive. The consultation period does not expire until 14 July.

British Rail (Inadequate Services)

56. Mr. McCrindle : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to make British Rail financially accountable to its customers for failed or inadequate services.

Mr. Portillo : British Rail's conditions of carriage already allow for refunds to be considered in cases where timetabled connections cannot be made or where services have been altered, withdrawn or suspended for any reason. I have no present plans for legislation.

Air Traffic Control

57. Mr. Amos : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority to discuss air traffic control delays.

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Mr. Peter Bottomley : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State frequently meets the chairman of the authority to discuss a whole range of topics of mutual interest.

Horne Report

58. Mr. Archer : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now announce a timetable for introducing legislation to implement the recommendations of the Horne review in connection with public utility undertakings engaging in works on the highway.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : Detailed proposals for legislation have been prepared following extensive consultation on the Horne report. Comments from interested parties on these proposals are currently being considered.

Legislation will be introduced as soon as there is a suitable opportunity.

Mr. Holt : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his reply of 12 June, Official Report, column 334, to the hon.Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Mr. Lofthouse) about the Horne report, what he regards as a suitable opportunity.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : The earliest available opportunity.

Pedestrians (Injury Compensation)

59. Mr. Janner : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will introduce legislation to provide compensation for pedestrians injured by cyclists.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : A pedestrian injured by a negligent cyclist can already seek compensation through the courts. Regular cyclists should try to ensure that their normal household insurance policies are extended to cover injury to third parties caused when cycling. This is in fact often the case under such policies anyway.

A1/M1 Link

Mr. William Powell : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to approve tenders for the A1/M1 link

Thrapstow-Brampton.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : Tenders for the western part of the Thrapston to Brampton section of the M1 to A1 link road (contract 7) are due for return on 4 August. A contract will be awarded when the checking procedures have been carried out.

A41 (Bypass)

Mr. Page : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the difference in the approved route as between the first and second inquiry covering the Northchurch to Kings Langley A41 bypass.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : The centre line of the Kings Langley and Berkhamsted bypasses was established by orders made under the Highway Act following the first inquiry. Draft amendment orders considered at the second inquiry would, if made, modify that line to the minor extent necessary to reflect the dual carriageway standard and grade separation of the junctions now proposed.

Mr. Page : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the second inquiry into the A41 bypass covering

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Northchurch to Kings Langley (a) opened and (b) closed ; when the inspector was expected to report ; and when it is anticipated he will report.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : The second inquiry into draft line, side roads and compulsory purchase orders for the Kings Langley and Berkhamsted bypasses opened on 27 April 1988 and closed on 6 September 1988. The inspector's report was received in March.

Mr. Page : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the first inquiry into the A41 bypass covering Northchurch to Kings Langley (a) opened and (b) closed ; and when the inspector reported.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : The first inquiry, into the draft line orders for the Kings Langley and Berkhamsted bypasses, opened on 3 February 1983 and closed on 12 May 1983. The inspectors's report is dated 26 September 1983.

M66

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to change the level of the parapet on the Brinnington road and Lingard lane road bridges and the Lapwing lane footbridge over the M66.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : No. The parapets meet the Department's standards applied throughout the country.

Transport Supplementary Grant

Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill, of 27 June, Official Report, column 376, if he will state the amount of transport supplementary grant allocated to Liverpool city council for the Park road relief road in 1988-89 and 1989-90.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : Expenditure on this scheme accepted for transport supplementary grant was £300,000 in 1988-89 and £2,060,000 in 1989-90. The grant payable on those figures would be £150,000 and £1,030,000 respectively.

Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his Department's procedures to ensure that funds allocated to a council as transport supplementary grant are spent on the project for which they were intended.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : Transport supplementary grant is not a specific grant paid in support of individual projects. It is paid towards the cost of accepted programmes of expenditure on named major schemes and on blocks of minor works expenditure on roads of more than local importance.

If an authority's expenditure on its approved programme in any year is significantly less than the amount accepted for TSG, an adjustment may be made to the grant paid in a subsequent year to ensure that grant is not paid twice on the same piece of planned expenditure.

Severn Bridge

Mr. Roy Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the inspector's report into toll charges on the Severn bridge ; and when he expects to announce his decision on the inspector's recommendations.

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Mr. Peter Bottomley : As soon as possible.

Thames Riverbus Service

Mr. Gould : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the agreement between his Department and the Thames Riverbus service concerning the payment to the service of a £500,000 grant.

Mr. Portillo : I have arranged for a copy of the agreement to be deposited in the Library of the House.

Mr. Gould : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why the agreement between his Department and the Thames Riverbus service concerning the payment of a £500,000 grant specifies that the service must be maintained to only some of the piers served by the Riverbus at the time the agreement was made.

Mr. Portillo : The provision concerning a service to certain piers was designed to ensure that a substantial core service would be provided so that Riverbus would contribute to the relief of road congestion and encourage the development of riverside areas in need of regeneration. The piers specified for this purpose in the agreement, Charing Cross, Festival, Swan Lane, London Bridge/City and West India, were those serving the core route.

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