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Newbury Bypass

Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what are the costs per day of security staff and other security measures employed at the Newbury bypass site; [9345]

(2) what estimate he has made of the likely delay caused by action directed to prevent the building of the Newbury bypass; [9346]

(3) if Her Majesty's Government will now carry out a new cost benefit analysis of the Newbury bypass. [9344]

Mr. Watts: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 22 January 1996:

As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr John Watts, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking the Secretary of State for Transport, what are the costs per day of security staff and other security measures employed at the Newbury Bypass; if the Government will now carry out a new cost benefit analysis of the bypass; and what estimate has he made of the likely delay caused by action directed to prevent the building of the bypass.
There are no figures available for security costs at this early stage; costs will in any event vary from day to day.
The economic evaluation shows the western bypass to be very good value for money. We will not be carrying out another COBA.
We do not expect the protest action to delay the scheme significantly. The target for completion is Summer 1998.

Mr. Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 16 January, Official Report, columns 500-01, on what date compensation was first paid under the Newbury bypass compulsory purchase order; how much compensation has been paid to date; what negotiations with landowners are expected to be concluded; and what is the estimated total amount of compensation to be paid under the order. [10650]

Mr. Watts [holding answer 19 January 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

22 Jan 1996 : Column: 25

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Stephen Byers, dated 22 January 1996:

The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the A34 Newbury Bypass.
The first payment of compensation for land compulsorily acquired for the Newbury Bypass was made on 17 May 1994. To date the Agency has paid just over £1.2m compensation from an estimated total land expenditure figure of £8.25m.
It is impossible to predict with any certainty when all land compensation negotiations will be concluded. Many claimants prefer to wait until the road is built and operational before submitting their claims for disturbance and injurious affection.

Road Scheme Protests (Cost)

Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to carry out a new cost-benefit analysis of the Newbury bypass to take account of increases in the costs of the road; [10439]

(2) what were the total security and legal costs that resulted from protests against the building of the M11 through residential areas; [10433]

(3) what assessment he has made of the effect of the additional security costs at the Newbury bypass site on the cost-benefit analysis calculations prepared for the road scheme; [10440]

(4) what were the total security and legal costs that resulted from protests against the building of the motorway through Twyford down. [10432]

Mr. Watts: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr Graham Allen, dated 22 January 1996:

As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about the costs of security at Twyford Down; the effects of the additional cost of security at Newbury on the cost benefit analysis for the scheme, the total security and legal costs resulting from protests against the M11, and what plans there are to carry out a new cost benefit analysis of the Newbury Bypass following the increase in the costs of the road.
The legal and security costs resulting from protests at Twyford Down amounted to £3.9M (including VAT).
Costs associated with the additional site security element required to complete the Newbury Bypass cannot be established at this early stage. The final outcome will depend on the level of protest action. But given that the present value benefits of the scheme are estimated as being between £83M and £150M, the additional cost would not have any significant effects on the cost benefits of the scheme.
The security and legal costs resulting from protests against the A12 Hackney to M11 Link Road were in the order of £10M.
We have no plans to carry out a new cost benefit analysis of the Newbury Bypass. Cost benefit analysis are carried out as part of the decision making process for the road schemes. In this case they showed that the scheme is very good value for money.

Road Repairs

Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Highways Agency to have completed its computerised road repair database. [9334]

Mr. Watts: The Highways Agency operates a number of computerised databases which contain information on road repairs. Further improvements to these systems are being developed.

22 Jan 1996 : Column: 26

School Buses

Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve safety measures on double-decker school buses. [9896]

Mr. Norris: None.

Traffic and Transport Advice

Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 9 January, Official Report, column 48, if he will list the advice on traffic and transport matters and its legal status issued by his Department in the last year. [9898]

Mr. Norris: Most of the advice the Department of Transport issues each year to local authorities on traffic and transport matters is not statutorily binding but is concerned with the dissemination of good practice.

The only binding advice issued to local authorities in 1995 originated from the Highways Agency, and concerned new or revised standards for trunk roads and motorways. The agency requires local authorities acting as its agents to comply with these standards. The following documents were published in this category:

The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.

BD 41/94: Reinforced Clay Brickwork Retaining Walls of Pocket Type and Grouted Cavity Type.
BD 42/94: Design of Embedded Retaining Walls of Pocket Type and Grouted Cavity Type Construction.
BD 44/95: Assessment of Concrete Highway Bridges and Structures.
BD 53/95: Inspections and Records for Road Tunnels.
BD 57/95: Design for Durability.
BD 58/94: External and Unbonded Prestressing.
BD 62/94: As Built, Operational and Maintenance Records for Highway Structures.
BD 63/94: Inspection of Highway Structures.
HD 26/94 Amendment No.1: Flexible Composite Pavements.
HD 27/94 Amendment No. 1: Porous Asphalt on Heavily Trafficked Roads.
HD 31/94 Amendment No 1: Maintenance of Bituminous Roads.
HD 35/95: Technical Information (on the use of reclaimed materials).
SD 10/95: The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations: Requirements for Health and Safety File.
TD 41/95: Vehicular Access to All-Purpose Trunk Roads.
TD 42/95: The Geometric Design of Major/Minor Priority Junctions.
TD 45/94: Motorway Incident Detection Automatic Signalling (MIDAS).
TD 46/94: Motorway Signalling.
Volume 11 Amendments: Environmental Assessment.

The Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works

Volume 0: Model Contract Document for Highway Works--England. 1994 Edition.
Volume 1: Specification for Highways Works--1994 Edition.
Volume 2: Notes for Guidance on the Specification for Highway Works--1994 Edition.
Volume 3: Highway Construction Details--1994 Edition.
Volume 4: Bill of Quantities for Highways Works--1994 Edition.

22 Jan 1996 : Column: 27

The Trunk Road Maintenance Manual

Volume 1: Amendment number 5.
Volume 2: Amendment number 3.
Volume 3: Amendment number 1.

The following non-binding advice was issued by the Department of Transport to local authorities on traffic and transport matters in 1995:

Local Authority Circular 1/95--Guidance on Decriminalised Parking Enforcement outside London.
Local Authority Circular 2/95--Transport Policies and Programme
Submissions for 1996-97.
TPP Submissions for 1996-97--Guidance Notes.
TPP Submissions for 1996-97--Information Required on Individual Highway Structural Maintenance Schemes.
TPP Submissions for 1996-97--Supplementary Guidance Notes on the Package Approach.
TPP Submission for 1996-97--The Local Government Review.
The Local Government Review--Local Authority Transport Responsibilities.
PPG13 A Guide to Better Practice (joint with the Department of the Environment).
Circular Roads 1/95--Traffic Signal and Speed Camera Signing.
Circular Roads 2/95--Deregulation: The Control of Dogs on Roads Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1995; and Advice on Designating Roads. All Roads within Geographical Areas.
Circular Roads 3/95--Traffic Signs to Tourist Attractions and Facilities in England.
Local Transport Note 1/95--The Assessment of Pedestrian Crossings.
Local Transport Note 2/95--The Design of Pedestrian Crossings.
Traffic Advisory Leaflet 1/95--Speed Limiter Signs--A Guide to Good Practice.
Traffic Advisory Leaflet 2/95--Raised Rib markings.
Traffic Advisory Leaflet 3/95--Cycle Routes.
Traffic Advisory Leaflet 4/95--The "SCOOT" Urban Traffic Control System.
Traffic Advisory Leaflet 5/95--Parking for Disabled People.
Traffic Advisory Leaflet 6/95--Pedestrian Crossings-- Assessment and Design.
Traffic Advisory Leaflet 7/95--Traffic Islands for Speed Control.
Traffic Advisory Leaflet 8/95--Traffic Models for Cycling.
Traffic Advisory Leaflet 9/95--Cycling Bibliography.
Traffic Advisory Leaflet 10/95--Traffic Calming Bibliography.
Better Places through Bypasses: Report of the Bypass Demonstration Project.
Working Drawings for Traffic Signs Vol. II and III.
Road Safety Education in Schools--Good Practice Guidelines.
Re-statement of Recommended Specification for Buses used to Operate Local Services.
The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges:
BA 43/94: Strengthening, Repair and Monitoring of Post Tensioned Concrete Bridge Decks.
BA 51/95: Assessment of Concrete Structures Affected by Steel Corrosion.
BA 53/94: Bracing Systems and the Use of U Frames in Steel Highway Bridges.



BA 57/95: Design for Durability
BA 58/94: External and Unbonded Prestressing.
BA 63/94: Inspection of Highway Structures.

22 Jan 1996 : Column: 28

HA 44/91 Amendment No.1: Earthworks--design and Preparation of Contract Documents.
HA 66/95: Environmental Barriers--Technical Requirements.
HA 70/94: Construction of Highway Earthworks.
HA 71/95: The Effects of Highway Construction on Flood Plains.
HA 72/94: Use and Limitations of Ground Penetrating Radar for Pavement Assessment.
HA 73/95: Site Investigations for Highway Works on Contaminated Land.
HA 74/95: Design and Construction of Lime Stabilised Capping.
HA 75/95: Trunk Roads and Archaeological Mitigation.
SA 4/95: The Introduction of the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works.
TA 66/95: Police Observation Platforms on Motorways.
TA 67/95: Providing for Cyclists.

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