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M25 (Noise Alleviation Measures)
Mr. Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he proposes to implement the previously proposed noise alleviation measures to the M25 between junctions 12 and 15 independently of the outcome of the review of the proposals for widening the motorway within its existing curtailage between these junctions. [11714]
Ms Glenda Jackson: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Phillip Hammond, dated 31 July 1997:
The Minister for Transport in London has asked me to reply to your recent question about noise alleviation measures on the M25 between junctions 12 and 15.
I understand the concerns raised about noise levels by busy roads and it is an issue that the Highways Agency takes very seriously. In this case the previously proposed noise alleviation measures are related to the predicted increase in noise resulting from the widening of M25. These noise reduction measures are an integral part of the widening scheme between junctions 12 and 15 and will not be implemented independently from that scheme.
Minicabs (London)
Sir George Young: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will consult over the Government's commitment to regulate London's minicabs; and if he will make a statement. [12270]
Ms Glenda Jackson: I have today published a consultation paper on how best to regulate London's minicabs. I have arranged for copies to be deposited in the Library. Comments are invited by 15 September.
I will arrange for the right hon. Member to see the results of the consultation before the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Bill is published.
National Roads Programme
Mr. Quinn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the study undertaken by his Department into the total and cumulative environmental impact of the national roads programme. [12267]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Under the previous Administration, my Department commissioned the Transport Research laboratory to carry out a feasibility study into this subject. I have now received the study report, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The report highlights a number of practical difficulties about the way in which the total environmental impact can be defined and measured. As recommended, we are now seeking the views of interested statutory bodies and others. We will consider how best to proceed in light of those consultations, taking account of the strategic roads review which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport announced on 19 June.
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Mr. Chidgey:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of passenger journeys on airlines covered by "Airworthiness Notice 64" which will take place between 1 June and 30 September this year. [11366]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Airworthiness notice 64 applies to all passenger aircraft on the UK register which have a maximum weight in excess of 5,700 kg or capable of carrying more than 20 passengers. No estimate has been made of the number of passenger journeys which will be carried out by such aircraft this summer.
Mr. Chidgey:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, (1) pursuant to his answer of 22 July, Official Report, columns 493-94, concerning minimum space for seated passengers, what assessment he has made of the safety risk posed to this portion of the population which falls outside the normal design extremes covered in "Airworthiness Notice 64 (March 1989)"; and if he will make a statement. [11365]
Ms Jackson:
It is not practicable for the design criteria for aircraft seats to cover both extremes of body size. The anthropometric range used in airworthiness notice no. 64 represents a practical standard for the design and installation of aircraft seats. There is no reason why an individual who falls outside the anthropometric range used by the Civil Aviation Authority should be at greater risk during an emergency evacuation.
There has been no significant change in the anthropometric data since 1989 and the CAA has no proposals to review this standard.
Mr. Chidgey:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors underlie the decision to install air conditioning in drivers' cabs on the Central line; what has been the cost (a) per cab and (b) in total of the installation of air conditioning; and if he will make a statement. [11941]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The scope of investment projects is a matter for London Underground Ltd. However, I understand that air conditioning in drivers' cabs was installed for health and safety reasons, as operators would be subject to excessive temperatures during hot weather--for safety reasons, there are no opening cab windows and it would not be possible to open cab doors in transit. The total cost of installing air conditioning is estimated at £3.5 million or around £20,000 per cab. This is less than 1 per cent. of the total cost of the trains.
Mrs. May:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review guidance to local authorities and planning inspectors on the distance between motorway service areas. [11721]
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Ms Glenda Jackson:
Policy on the spacing of motorway services areas is set out in roads circular 1/94 which states that they should not generally be less than 15 miles apart. My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to amend that guidance though, in common with other aspects of land use planning and transport policy, it is an area we are keeping under review.
Mrs. May:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the safety standards for the transport of radioactive material. [11727]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker), Official Report, 23 June, columns 381-82.
Mrs. May:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the Cranford agreement on aircraft movements at Heathrow. [11847]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
A reconsideration of the Cranford agreement forms one aspect of the further work commissioned in 1995 to assess the capacity and environmental implications of the proposals in the runway capacity enhancement study report. We do not expect the final stage of this work to begin before the autumn.
Mrs. Ballard:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of (a) the cost to public transport bus operators resulting from the increase in fuel costs announced in the recent Budget and (b) its effect on the cost of travel by bus. [11616]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
My Department estimates that the total cost to bus operators--in England, Scotland and Wales--of the increase in fuel duty announced in the Budget is likely to be about £40 million per year. The effect if any on the fares charged will vary from operator to operator. However, fuel duty is a relatively small part of the total cost of bus operation and the proportion of the duty rebated by my Department to operators of local bus services remains at over 60 per cent.
Mrs. Dunwoody:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list for each of the last five financial years the expenditure on motorways and trunk roads in respect of (a) reconstruction, (b) overlay, (c) resurfacing and (d) surface dressing; and what are the forecast outturns for 1997; [11707]
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(3) if he will list for each of the last five financial years the total lane kilometres of trunk road and motorway subject to (a) reconstruction, (b) overlay, (c) resurfacing and (d) surface dressing and what is his forecast for (a) to (d) for 1997-98; [11708]
(4) which bridges carrying motorways and trunk roads are (a) currently and (b) expected to be subject to width or weight restrictions. [11710]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
I will write to my hon Friend and will place a copy of my letter in the Library.
(2) pursuant to his answer of 22 July, Official Report, columns 493-94, concerning minimum space for seated passengers, if he will update "Airworthiness Notice 64 (March 1989)" to take account of the latest anthropometric data. [11364]
(2) if he will list the bridges carrying motorways and trunks roads which are awaiting strengthening works to comply with the EU plan to permit 40-tonne trucks, indicating the target date for the work to be undertaken;[11709]
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