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TRANSPORT
Selby By-pass
Mr. Alison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he estimates contracts for site clearance and other relevant constructional phases for the projected Selby by-pass will be awarded. [16056]
Mr. Watts: The inspector's report on the inquiry into a side roads variation order and compulsory purchase order has been received recently and is under consideration. Once the scheme has completed the statutory procedures, it will be taken forward when funding is available for start of works.
Mr. Alison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will include the projected Selby by-pass in the category of roads to be funded under the private finance for roads initiative. [16055]
Mr. Watts: The A63 Selby by-pass is not included in the design, build, finance and operate projects announced by my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport on 28 February 1995. However, the programme is kept under review. Schemes are considered for inclusion in the programme when they have completed their statutory procedures.
Mr. Alison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received the report of the inspector appointed in 1995 to inquire into the proposed compulsory purchase orders for land required for building the Selby by-pass; and if he will make a statement. [16054]
Mr. Watts: The inspector's report has been received and is being considered. I cannot say what the outcome will be.
Public Transport (Privatisation)
Mr. Parry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the effects privatisation has had on public authority transport during the past three years. [15685]
Mr. Norris: In general, privatisation has led to a more efficient provision of public transport services, responsive through the marketplace to the needs of users.
Public Transport, Merseyside
Mr. Parry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list subsidies made to Merseytravel for the 101 bus service over the last two years; if he will make a statement on the current running of the service; and if he will make a statement. [15776]
Mr. Norris: The 101 bus service is fully subsidised by Merseyside passenger transport executive--Merseytravel. Subsidy arrangements, service details and performance on the route are all matters for the PTE, but I understand that the service has recently been re-tendered following previous operating difficulties.
Mr. Parry:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to visit Merseyside to discuss the subject of bus services with Merseytravel; and if he will make a statement. [15777]
20 Feb 1996 : Column: 109
Mr. Norris:
I have no such plans at present. I will, however, be discussing bus issues, along with other transport matters, with the North West and Merseyside regional annual consultative committee on 4 March. I understand that Merseytravel will be represented at that meeting.
Mr. Parry:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of bus services in (a) Liverpool (b) Merseyside at the latest available date; and if he will make a statement. [15744]
Mr. Norris:
The provision of bus services in Liverpool and Merseyside is entirely a matter for bus operators acting commercially or Merseyside PTE--Merseytravel--using its subsidy powers. I believe that bus travellers there, as in the rest of the country, have benefited from the trend of more operators running more bus miles at lower cost, with new buses on many routes, and significantly less public subsidy than previously.
Mr. Harry Greenway:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the works on the slipway from the east-bound A40 at Hangar lane are expected to be completed; at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [16226]
Mr. Norris:
I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Harry Greenway, dated 20 February 1996:
Mr. Rooney:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what are the implications for the A650 Bingley relief road of the withdrawal of the scheme for the A650 Saltaire relief road tunnel; [15919]
(3) what environmental conditions will attach to the contract for the A650 Bingley relief road; [15918]
20 Feb 1996 : Column: 110
(4) what savings he expects for his Department arising out of the A650 Bingley relief road falling under the private finance initiative. [15922]
Mr. Watts
[holding answer 19 February 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 20 February 1996:
Mr. Watts
[holding answer 19 February 1996]: The threat of blight has been removed by the withdrawal of the scheme from the trunk road programme.
Mr. Rooney:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which road schemes under the private finance initiative are currently being constructed; and what was the time lag for each from offering for tender to commencement on site. [15923]
Mr. Watts
[holding answer 19 February 1996]: No. Design, build, finance and operate road schemes are under construction. Tenders for the first four were invited in January 1995. Construction is expected to start this spring.
Mr. Rooney:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to allocate funding for the Shipley eastern bypass. [15920]
Mr. Watts
[holding answer 19 February 1996]: Following the recent review of the trunk road programme, this scheme has been placed in the longer-term programme. This category comprises those schemes, which, although required, are not of the highest priority nationally. They will be taken forward only as the main programme is completed.
Mr. Denham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to require cyclists to wear Sam Brown reflective belts. [16049]
20 Feb 1996 : Column: 111
Mr. Norris:
My Department takes every opportunity to encourage cyclists to use conspicuity aids. However, I believe that their use should remain a matter of individual choice.
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about works on the slip road from the eastbound A40 to the Hangar Lane Gyratory Junction.
The eastbound slip road to this junction has become very congested in the past three years and vehicles often queue back onto the main carriageway of the A40. The works are to widen the slip road from two lanes to three at the junction which will ease the traffic flow through the junction.
Unexpected difficulties with the location and movement of electricity cables and works associated with gas mains have extended the duration of the works. To catch up time the contractor is now working sixteen hours a day. Night-time working is not viewed as a practical option as it would cause considerable noise and disturbance to local residents.
Unfortunately it is not possible to operate two lanes of traffic on the slip road alongside the works because of the need to provide a safety zone between the traffic and the contractor's workforce. However two lanes have been maintained at the traffic signals during peak periods to ensure that almost the same number of vehicles continue to move through the junction.
The estimated cost of the works is £80,000 and it is expected that the works will be completed on or very soon after the originally programmed date of 9 March.
(2) what is the timetable of the private finance initiative for the A650 Bingley relief road with particular reference to tendering, construction and completion dates; [15917]
Mr. Rooney:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what options are available to property owners suffering blight from the aborted A650 Saltaire relief road tunnel. [15921]
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent questions on the A650 Bingley Relief Road.
You will have seen from the Secretary of State's announcement on the Road Programme on 28 November 1995 that this scheme has been included in the Private Finance Initiative as a further Design, Build, Finance and Operate project.
Tenders are expected to be invited this Summer with a start on site during the 1997/98 financial year. Completion of the project will be approximately 3 years later.
Although there are no funds available for the Saltaire Tunnel, the need to continue with the Bingley Relief Road is undiminished.
All commitments about environmental conditions given in the Environmental Statement, which was published in February 1989, and again at subsequent Public Inquiries, will be included within the contract.
Design, Build, Finance and Operate has thus far shown to offer value for money when compared with the public sector alternative. Private Finance and management expertise will enable this scheme to be provided more quickly and more efficiently than would have been possible if it had to wait its turn as a publicly financed scheme.
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