| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Motorways (Interval Chevrons)
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in respect of the study commissioned by his Department into the use of interval chevrons on motorways and receipt in 1995 of project report 118 of the Transport Research Laboratory, when Ministers were informed of the results and recommendations of its authors, which recommendations he accepts, what further studies have been carried out, with what results, what steps have been taken to publicise the findings and what action he has taken to authorise their (i) adoption and (ii) additional extensive trials. [37076]
Mr. Norris: TRL report PR118 described the results of trials at two particular sites, and indicated that in certain conditions chevrons could bring benefits. This was further reported in the October 1995 edition of "Traffic Engineering and Control". Opportunity for further trials will depend on the suitability of site conditions. Chevrons would normally have to be installed in tandem with other maintenance operations to avoid unnecessary disruption to traffic. The Highways Agency is in the process of identifying possible monitoring sites.
Catalytic Converters
Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what research has been carried out by the Transport
16 Jul 1996 : Column: 437
Research Laboratory on the problem of cold-start emissions from catalytic converters; [37011]
- (2) what assessment he has made of the results of research undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory on the performance of catalytic converters in service in reducing harmful vehicle emissions. [37012]
Mr. Norris: The research carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory has confirmed that three-way catalytic converters reduce harmful emissions by around 80 per cent. However, this research has also shown that the emissions occurring during the first three minutes after the car is started from cold, approach those of cars which are not equipped with catalysts.
Tighter standards applicable from 1 January 1997 will significantly improve catalyst warm-up times to reduce cold start emissions. Even tighter standards, now being proposed by the European Commission for 2000, coupled with changes to the certification test cycle, will encourage further improvements.
Transport and Works Act
Miss Lestor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the target time scale for dealing with applications under the Transport and Works Act 1992 following receipt of the inspector's report; and what current delays there are in processing such applications. [37003]
Mr. Norris: In cases where a public inquiry is held, the target time scale is to issue the decision letter not later than six months from the receipt of the inspector's report. This time scale may be exceeded because of pressure of other work, though the staffing of the processing unit is kept under review with the target in mind, or because of the difficulty or complexity of a particular case.
Greater Manchester Light Rapid Transport System
Miss Lestor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors underlie the delay in respect of his decision on the Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transport System) (Eccles Extension) Order. [37001]
Mr. Norris: I regret that, because of pressure of other work, the target time scale of six months from receipt of the inspector's report to the issue of the Secretary of State's decision letter has not been achieved in this case. We are dealing with the order application as quickly as practicable and hope to issue a decision letter within the next four or six weeks.
Highways Agency
Mr. Steinberg: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many contractors and consultants to the Highways Agency have been kept waiting for over two months for their accounts to be settled; what interest penalties the agency is liable to pay; and what payments have been made to date. [36898]
Mr. Watts: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
16 Jul 1996 : Column: 438
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Gerry Steinberg, dated 16 July 1996:
Mr. Steinberg:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many redundancies have taken place in the Highways Agency in the last two years; how many more he estimates will take place in the next 12 months; and what factors underlay the redundancies. [36895]
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about payments to contractors and consultants.
Interests payments of £28,000 were made to eleven contractors and consultants in relation to invoices for new construction work received during 1995-96 where the contractual payment date was exceeded. All interest payments claimed have been paid in full. Information relating specifically to delays of over two months would only be available at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Watts: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Gerry Steinberg, dated 16 July 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking how many redundancies have taken place in the Highways Agency in the last two years; how many more he estimates will take place in the next 12 months; and what factors underlay the redundancies.
594 redundancies have taken place in the Highways Agency in the last two financial years. The bulk of these have come about as a consequence of the restructuring of the Highways Agency which was announced in March 1995, and a 20% efficiency gains exercise which was carried out concurrently. We anticipate further redundancies in this financial year mainly as a result of a further review, which commenced in November 1995, into the organisation and staffing needs of the Highways Agency in the light of reduced funding. The number will be determined when work on the implementation of the review's conclusions is completed.
Cycling Policy
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the organisations he consulted prior to his speech of 10 July concerning his policy for cycling; and what role he envisages for the National Cycling Forum additional to that already performed by the former departmental steering group in its development of national cycling strategy. [37343]
Mr. Norris: The steering group which developed the national cycling strategy comprised representative of the following:
the Association of County Councils, the Association of District Councils, the Association of London Government, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the Confederation of British Industry, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Cyclists' Public Affairs Group, the Cyclists' Touring Club, the Department of the Environment, the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, the Department of Health, the Department of Transport, the London Cycling Campaign, the Scottish Office, Transport 2000, and the Welsh Office.
A statement explaining the purpose, tasks, and outputs of the National Cycling Forum is contained in section 2.5.4 of the strategy.
16 Jul 1996 : Column: 439
Mr. Donohoe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 26 March, Official Report, column 546, about parliamentary questions, what method would be used by his Department in collating the information requested. [37532]
Mr. Norris:
The examination of approximately 20,000 files dating back to 1989-90.
Mr. Donohoe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 14 March, Official Report, column 727, about parliamentary questions, what method would be used by his Department in collating the information requested. [37533]
Mr. Norris:
The examination of approximately 28,000 files dating back to 1987-88.
Mr. Allen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the report on the trials of camera-based bus lane enforcement in London. [37441]
Mr. Norris:
The traffic director for London, who is managing this project, is preparing a report to be published in September this year. I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library.
Mr. David Marshall:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the preferred bidder procedure as set out in the Treasury's guidelines will be adopted for the new
16 Jul 1996 : Column: 440
Scottish air traffic control centre; when he expects to announce the name of the preferred bidder; and if he will make a statement. [37342]
Mr. Norris:
The invitation to participate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority for the Scottish air traffic control centre involves a procedure which is consistent with the Treasury's private finance initiative guidelines. National Air Traffic Services is concerned to ensure that the procedure will avoid unnecessary bidding costs and it will seek to declare a preferred bidder as soon as it is appropriate and prudent to do so. The validity of current offers for this requirement expire on 9 February 1997.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |