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Traffic Congestion
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what
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assessment his Department has made of the consequences for congestion of the introduction of night-time rules for mobile workers in the EU Working Time Directive. [64982]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The European Commission's draft proposal was published only in December. We will examine it thoroughly taking into account the effects on road transport and congestion and seek to ensure in negotiations on the draft directive that sensible and balanced decisions are reached.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the relative damage caused to roads by (a) 38 tonne lorries, (b) 40 tonne lorries and (c) 44 tonne lorries with standard axle arrangements. [64983]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
As indicated in the recent White Paper on the future of transport, "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone", 38 tonne, 5 axle lorries and 44 tonne, 6 axle lorries, both with drive axle weights of up to 10.5 tonnes, cause about the same amount of road wear. 40 tonne, 5 axle lorries, which have an 11.5 tonne drive axle weight, cause about a third more wear than the aforementioned.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many 44 tonne lorries are licensed to operate on United Kingdom roads. [64984]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The number of vehicles licensed to operate at 44 tonnes on combined transport operations at 30 September 1998 was 2,560. This figure does not include a number of vehicles licensed under Section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to carry abnormal and indivisible loads, and which may operate at weights at or above 44 tonnes.
Mrs. Ellman:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made on the New Deal for communities in Liverpool. [63564]
Mr. Caborn:
We have received an outline bid on behalf of the Kensington Partnership Forum for New Deal for Communities support. The bid covers parts of the
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Smithdown and Kensington Wards of the City. No decisions has yet been reached on which of the 17 Pathfinder bids will progress to the next stage. I expect to make an announcement shortly.
Mr. Pike:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received in the last 12 months about bus company mergers and take-overs. [63408]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Mergers and take-overs in the bus industry are chiefly matters for the competition authorities. However I do receive such representations from time to time, including the letter of 26 October last from my hon. Friend.
Mr. Wilkinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made towards the injection of private capital into the infrastructure of London Transport Underground. [63563]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
We are making very good progress, as my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 14 December 1998, Official Report, columns 623-34, during the second reading debate on the Greater London Authority Bill. Work is now under way to restructure London Underground in preparation for a competition to be held for the private sector to operate and invest in the upgrading of the Underground's infrastructure, into an operations company, which will remain in the public sector, and three infrastructure divisions. Subject to bids for the infrastructure divisions representing Best Value for the public sector they will transfer to the private sector for the duration of the Public-Private Partnership.
Mr. Barnes:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning planning permission for opencast mining at Avenue Cokeworks, Wingerworth, Derbyshire. [63577]
Mr. Caborn:
Since 1 May 1997 my right hon. Friend has received six representations from local pressure groups and 11 representations from members of the public requesting that the planning application be called in.