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Broadcasting Masts
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has issued to local authorities in connection with the determination of planning applications for broadcasting masts and transmitting stations. [12494]
Mr. Raynsford: Current planning policy guidance on broadcasting masts and transmitting stations is set out in planning policy guidance note 8--PPG8 revised December 1992. That guidance reflects the importance we attach to keeping to a minimum the number of broadcasting and telecommunications masts, and of sites for such installations, while ensuring that there is an effective national broadcasting and telecommunications network.
Conservation Areas
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the creation of conservation areas and nature reserves in Britain; and what proposals he has to encourage local authorities towards the creation and management of such sites. [12498]
Angela Eagle: Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 the conservation agencies have powers to declare national nature reserves. There are now 188 NNRs in England. English Nature, the Government's scientific adviser, has been actively seeking to involve local authorities and other approved bodies in the management of NNRs. It has also assisted local authorities in increasing the number of local nature reserves from 288 in 1991 to 566 in 1997.
Motability (Fuel Tax Exemptions)
Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce a fuel tax exemption for those disabled people who have motability vehicles. [12299]
Ms Glenda Jackson: There are no plans to introduce a fuel tax exemption for those disabled people who have motability vehicles. Such a measure would be administratively expensive and impractical, and there are better ways of assisting disabled people with their transport costs. The main way is through the Government's provision of the disability living allowance which was introduced in 1992 to help people with the extra costs which arise from their care and mobility needs. DLA is increased every year, by law, by the rate of inflation, as measured by the movement in the retail prices index which takes account of the cost of petrol as well as the cost of taxi fares and other motoring costs.
Road Bridges
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those requirements of European legislation on axle weights which require strengthening of road bridges; and the cost of strengthening road bridges to the required standard. [12461]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
When the United Kingdom's derogation from certain of the European Community weight limits in directive 96/53/EEC, previously
27 Oct 1997 : Column: 713
85/3/EEC, expires on 31 December 1998, we will allow an increase in the drive axle weight limit for vehicles on international journeys form 10.5 to 11.5 tonnes.
For the trunk road network the Highways Agency has an assessment and strengthening programme aimed at ensuring all the bridges meet or are brought up to meet modern standards. The latest estimate of the cost of this programme is £450 million and includes some additional costs for meeting the slightly higher requirements of European legislation. Figures are not available to estimate this additional cost.
Until local authorities have completed the assessment of their bridge stock, it will not be possible to determine accurately the cost of strengthening bridges on local roads to enable them also to carry the heavier 40 tonne lorries. It has, however, been made clear to local authorities that not all bridges on all roads need to carry such vehicles.
Mr. Blizzard:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will investigate the possibility of using redundant North sea oil and gas drilling platforms in the construction of new road bridges. [12286]
Ms Jackson:
Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Highways Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Bob Blizzard, dated 27 October 1997:
The Minister for Transport in London has asked me to respond to your Parliamentary Question on the possibility of using redundant North Sea oil and gas drilling platforms in the construction of new bridges.
Sir Richard Body:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what United Kingdom projects are funded by European Union Life Environment moneys; at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [12506]
Angela Eagle:
Since the inception of the European Union LIFE programme in 1992, Life Environment, which is administered by the European Commission, has supported 70 projects in the United Kingdom, providing total funding of around 35 million.
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Most new bridges are constructed of steel, (steel) reinforced concrete, or a combination of both. The exact type of bridge is usually dictated by cost, aesthetics, the road geometry and the loads that the bridge will have to carry. To achieve the most effective design, the shape and strength of the various components are specifically designed and it is not often that "second hand" components can be incorporated without significant cost. However, second-hand materials can often be used quite economically after they have been recycled. For example, all the steel bars produced in the UK for reinforced concrete are made from recycled scrap steel.
Crushed concrete can be used again as an aggregate for concrete but generally it is not suitable for making the high strength concrete needed in bridges. Recycled concrete from drilling platforms is also likely to be contaminated with salt which will cause the steel reinforcement to corrode unless special measures are taken.
It is therefore difficult to see how steel or concrete from redundant North Sea oil and gas drilling platforms could be used economically, directly in new bridges. However, salvaged steel from North Sea platforms has already been used in temporary works and we are continuing to carry out research into finding more ways of using recycled materials including concrete.
| Proposer | Title of project | Ecu |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | ||
| Dorset County Council | Coastal Zone Management: development of a strategy for an open coast | 199,361 |
| BIP Group Ltd | The use of a novel biological treatment for reductio of VOC emissions to air | 149,377 |
| University of Ulster | Implementing alternative strategies for sustainable beach and dune management | 630,403 |
| City of Edinburgh | The Forth Estuary: a demonstration of effective integrated costal zone management | 143,617 |
| Buckinghamshire College | Tourfor: integrated tourism with the development of forest resources | 325,122 |
| BOC Plc | The sanitisation and recirculation of water in the processing of poultry | 228,097 |
| Isle of Wight Council | Demonstration project on integrated costal zone management | 151,809 |
| 1997 | ||
| Arun District Council | An investigation into the survival of sewage indicating organisms discharged to the marine environment159,883 | |
| London Borough of Southwark | Local Indicators to Monitor Urban Sustainability (LITMUS) | 498,966 |
| London Borough of Camden | 'Plusbus Interactive'--a scheme for access and availability of special transport for all | 937,443 |
| Subterra Ltd | An environmentally friendly repair system for leaking sewage or rainwater/surface drainage pipes | 274,546 |
| SATRA | Recycling of waste leather from footwear and other industries | 411,861 |
| Highland Council | Area sustainability strategies for peripheral rural areas | 492,458 |
| BIP Group Ltd. | The use of a novel absorption process for the reduction of VOC emissions to air | 296,275 |
| Isle of Wight Council | Coastal change, Climate and Instability | 610,124 |
| Broads Authority | New Wetlands Harvest--sustainable wetlands management | 491,910 |
Asbestos
Mr. Levitt:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Government are taking to encourage the replacement of asbestos in industrial applications. [12285]
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Angela Eagle:
All uses of blue and brown asbestos and certain uses of white asbestos are prohibited. The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987, as amended in 1992, require that employers substitute safer alternatives instead of using asbestos where it is practicable to do so.
The Government are determined to make current legislation more effective and to introduce new measures, including extending the present bans. The advice of the Health and Safety Commission is being sought on all these matters.
Mr. Hinchliffe:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will strengthen protection and conservation measures for sites of special scientific interest. [12499]
Angela Eagle:
We are actively taking forward the commitment to increase protection for wildlife and have proposed a review of the mechanisms for protection and maintaining SSSIs. Officials are currently undertaking preliminary discussions on this important issue.
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