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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.

A40 (Hangar Lane)

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:


A650

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]

20 Feb 1996 : Column: 110

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. 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]

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.

Private Finance Initiative

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.

Shipley Eastern Bypass

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.

Cyclists (Reflective Belts)

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.


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