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Road Schemes
30. Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will carry out preliminary administration procedures to minimise delay in road schemes on their release after publication of the current review. [14872]
Dr. Strang: We aim to avoid unnecessary delays to schemes approved in the Roads Review. Preparatory work on schemes is being taken forward to the end of the current stage so that they could be re-started without the need to repeat work.
Channel Tunnel Rail Link
38. Mr. Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if she will make a statement on her policy for the channel tunnel rail link.[14880]
Dr. Strang: The Government have a Development Agreement with London and Continental Railways for the design, construction and operation of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.
Airports and Aviation
39. Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the proposed White Paper on an integrated transport policy will incorporate policies relating to airports and aviation provision. [14882]
Dr. Strang:
Yes. Airports and aviation have a vital role to play in an integrated transport system. We intend to set out in the White Paper key policies relating to surface access to airports, environmental impact and the role of regional airports.
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40. Mr. David Heath:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions she has had with rail companies to encourage the opening, retention or reopening of small rural railway stations. [14883]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The revised objectives, instructions and Guidance issued to the Franchising Director on 6 November require him to encourage and facilitate the development of worthwhile investment proposals. He has regular discussions with train operating companies, Railtrack and other potential sponsors of station projects.
41. Jane Griffiths:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the agreement by Reading and Oxfordshire councils concerning a third Thames crossing.[14884]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
We welcome the announcement that Oxfordshire and Berkshire Local Authorities are to commission a joint, wide-ranging study of travel across the Thames in the Reading area. I understand that the study will identify issues and possible solutions, which may, or may not, include proposals for a third crossing.
42. Mr. Godman:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to modify the regulations and rules governing the occupational safety of the crews of United Kingdom registered fishing vessels. [14885]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The occupational safety of crews in United Kingdom fishing vessels is being pursued through the development of several regulations which will implement EC health and safety directives. Guidance on the requirements of the new regulations will be published in a new Code of Safe Working Practices for Fishing Vessels.
43. Mr. Edwards:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the location of the proposed Eurofreight terminal for south Wales. [14887]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
44. Mr. Keith Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response he has made to the European Parliament Transport Committee's recommendation that driving tests be retaken every five years. [14888]
Dr. Strang:
There has been no such recommendation. The Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament are currently reviewing road safety policy, but have not yet reported. In the course of their deliberations, one of the members put forward the idea of periodic
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re-testing of drivers, but it has not been supported by the Committee as a whole, nor by any of the European Institutions.
45. Mr. Forth:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors led to his decision to postpone the sale of London Underground's Acton works. [14889]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
London Transport's proposal to sell the Railway Engineering Workshop at Acton requires the Secretary of State's consent (to dispose of one of their subsidiaries under section 9 of the London Regional Transport Act 1984). The Secretary of State does not want to make a decision on whether to give his consent until the Government has reached a clearer view on the future funding and structure of the underground as a whole, and he has held further discussions with interested parties.
46. Miss Kirkbride:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he next proposes to meet the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority to discuss its future. [14891]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
My colleagues and I hold regular meetings with the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority where the future of the Authority and National Air Traffic Services is among a wide number of topics that are discussed.
47. Mr. Burns:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on how he plans to tackle congestion on Britain's roads. [14892]
Dr. Strang:
We are currently undertaking a strategic roads review as part of the work we are doing to develop an integrated transport policy. One of the main objectives is to develop a strategy for dealing with increasing congestion.
48. Mr. Rammell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the approach he will adopt in assessing transport policies and programmes bids. [14893]
Dr. Strang:
Assessment of bids takes account of a variety of factors. The main criterion is the extent to which the proposed expenditure offers value for money in the context of the objectives communicated to authorities in the circular inviting them to bid.
49. Mr. Gerald Howarth:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to meet the chairman of Railtrack to discuss investment in the railways. [14894]
Dr. Strang:
My right hon. Friend and I met the chairman of Railtrack on 30 October to discuss a number of issues, including investment in the railways.
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50. Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers he has to direct the British Rail Property Board in the disposal of assets and the discharge of residual legal responsibilities arising from planning obligations and agreements entered into by British Rail. [14895]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The Secretary of State has power to direct the British Railways Board to dispose of any of its property, rights and liabilities under section 89 of the Railways Act 1993, where the principal objective is to secure the result that the function of providing railway services in Great Britain is performed by private sector operators. Discharge of obligations in planning agreements is a matter of contract between the contracting parties.
51. Mr. Kirkwood:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with his French counterpart regarding difficulties faced by British hauliers as a result of the industrial dispute in France. [14896]
Dr. Strang:
At a meeting in Paris on 28 October, just before the dispute started, I told the French transport Minister that in the event of disruption I looked to his Government to ensure free passage for UK lorries, to secure the well-being of any British drivers blocked in France and to deal promptly and sympathetically with any claims for compensation. I spoke similarly to the French ambassador at a meeting in London on 4 November once the strike had started.
Ms Walley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of speed cameras in reducing speed. [15650]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Speed cameras are particularly good at reducing vehicle speeds in some circumstances. Twenty one cameras placed on roads in West London have shown a 70 per cent. reduction in fatal accidents between 1992 and 1995. A Home Office study of cameras in 10 police forces undertaken between November 1995 and March 1996 showed that accidents reduced by 28 per cent. and average speeds by 4 mph at speed camera sites. However, the effects of cameras are localised, so we recommend that they are used at sites with a history of speed related accidents where they can successfully reduce the likelihood of further incidents.
Mr. Keetch:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list his Department's guidelines relating to the installing of speed cameras in villages; what Government funding is available for such cameras; what research his Department has evaluated into the impact of speed cameras on the rate of accidents in villages; and what estimate he has made of the relative costs of installing cameras on A and B roads. [15962]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Guidance on the deployment of speed enforcement cameras was issued by the Department in Circular Roads 1/92. Specific central funding is not
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usually made available for cameras. Installation costs are typically met by Highway authorities; and operational costs by the police. A Home Office study of cameras in 10 police forces undertaken between November 1995 and March 1996 showed a 28 per cent. drop in accidents and a 4 mph reduction in speed at camera sites. The study showed that the average fixed cost per site for a speed camera was £12,500 and average recurrent costs were around £8,500 per annum. The report did not specify camera site locations. I am unable to give average costs for villages and other areas.
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