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Stagecoach
Mr. Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will arrange for a transcript of the final report of the public inquiry into the operation by Stagecoach of Licence PC3233 to be placed in the Library. [132294]
Mr. Hill: In the interests of minimising public expenditure, Public Inquiries conducted by Traffic Commissioners are transcribed only when necessary, such as in the case of an appeal. There is currently no reason to incur the cost of transcribing the Inquiry in question.
Regional Government (North-west)
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many letters he has received in each of the last three years requesting an elected north-west regional Government. [132718]
Ms Beverley Hughes: In the last three years, we have received two letters supporting elected regional government in the north-west, one in 1999 and one in 2000.
Roads (Ribble Valley)
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many miles of new roads were built in the Ribble Valley constituency in each year from 1994 to 2000. [132719]
Mr. Hill: New highway construction (includes realignment and dualling) in the Ribble Valley constituency in each year from 1994 to 2000 is as follows:
| 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A(1) | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| B | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.14 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| C | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.83 | 0.00 |
| Footway | 0.12 | 0.48 | 0.53 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.09 | 0.00 |
| Motorway | 0.00 | 4.62 | 0.00 | 0.90 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Trunk road | 0.00 | 2.13 | 0.00 | 0.08 | 1.02 | 2.31 | 0.00 |
| Unclassified | 0.31 | 1.32 | 0.63 | 0.96 | 1.55 | 2.15 | 0.22 |
| Unadopted | 1.25 | 0.41 | 0.69 | 0.00 | 0.81 | 1.56 | 1.23 |
(1) Principal
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Correspondence
Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he proposes to reply to the letter of 11 April, sent by the right hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside, concerning Mr. Davey of Deeside, CH5. [133130]
Ms Armstrong: I can confirm that a response to my right hon. Friend's letter has been sent, following a delay owing to an administrative error.
Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he proposes to answer the letter sent by right hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside of 2 June, regarding Mr. Herbert of Mold, Flintshire, CH7. [133129]
Ms Armstrong: I replied to this letter on behalf of the Secretary of State on 21 July.
M6
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how his Ten Year Transport Plan relates to the work of the West Midlands to North West multi-modal study; [132847]
- (2) what impact the Ten Year Transport Plan will have on the proposal to widen the M6 motorway between junctions 11 and 16. [132846]
Mr. Hill: The Ten Year Transport Plan provides the resources to implement the outcomes from multi-modal studies. These studies exemplify our integrated approach to transport policy which we are applying to a series of transport problems around the country.
The West Midlands to North West multi-modal study is a good example. The aim of this study is to ensure that the M6 motorway retains its vital strategic role supporting the national economy. M6 Junction 11a-16 Widening and M6 Junction 16-19 Widening schemes were remitted for consideration in this study following the 1998 Roads Review. The study is also looking at the role that rail and public transport could play in easing the problems on the M6, and the scope for using new technologies, demand management techniques and giving priority to certain types of traffic to make better use of the existing infrastructure. The study will report in autumn 2001.
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take to relieve congestion on the M6 motorway between Junctions 6 and 10. [132848]
Mr. Hill: Over the next three years, the Highways Agency will be introducing Calmed Motorways measures on M6 Junctions 10-8 to regulate speed and reduce congestion and delays. The West Midlands Area Multi-Modal Study is looking at further measures to make best use of the M6 between Junctions 6-10 using speed and access control. The Birmingham Northern Relief Road will also provide a less congested alternative to the M6.
Roads (London)
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) for what reason one eastbound lane has been removed on the West Cromwell Road A4; [133168]
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- (2) how many new sets of traffic lights have been placed on the A316 from the M3 to the A4 in the last three years; [133165]
(3) for what reasons a narrow lane on the outside lane of the two lane dual carriageway A316 eastbound east of the junction with the B358 has been painted on, to narrow the two lanes cars can use; [133170]
(4) what is the hourly change in capacity of the A316 eastbound from the M3 to the A4 as a result of all the traffic management measures taken in the last three years. [133167]
(5) for what reasons the speed limit has been reduced on the A316 Country Way three lane dual carriageway. [133166]
(6) for what reasons three lanes have been reduced to two on the A4 at Queens Gate and Exhibition Road junctions. [133169]
Mr. Hill: This is a matter for the Mayor of London and Transport for London.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the transfer of responsibility for London's trunk roads to Transport for London. [133246]
Mr. Hill: I am pleased to report to the House that the transfer of responsibility has been achieved effectively. Currently, however, Transport for London are developing expertise in key operational areas and the Highways Agency will be providing them with advice and support for a short handover period. This arrangement is the subject of a Service Agreement between the two bodies. Tfl are committed to achieving self-sufficiency as quickly as possible and it is envisaged that the assistance will generally be required until the autumn. The Treasury has agreed that the Agency may score this expenditure as extra-statutory and record it as special payments in their Appropriation Account.
Amber Rose
Mr. John D. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Marine Accident Investigation Branch will publish its report on the sinking of the Portavogie trawler, the 'Amber Rose', in October 1998; and if he will make a statement. [132717]
Mr. Hill: The Marine Accident Investigation Branch's (MAIB) report was sent to those involved in the accident, including the next of kin of the skipper, on Monday 24 July. It was made publicly available on Wednesday 26 July. Copies are available free of charge from the MAIB.
Tower Hamlets Housing Trust
Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the net present cost is of the Tower Hamlets Housing Trust project under the Private Finance Initiative; what the value is of the public sector comparators in (a) pre-risk
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and (b) risk-adjusted terms; what risks are identified as having been transferred; and if he will make a statement. [132837]
Mr. Mullin: Information about the private finance agreement between Tower Hamlets Housing Action Trust (the HAT), Circle Thirty Three Housing Trust and its subsidiary Old Ford Housing Association (OFHA) is available on the DETR website at www.detr.gov.uk/ppp/ 2.htm#towerhamlets. The HAT's partners have agreed to invest £23 million, alongside the HAT's own investment of £55 million, to enable the HAT's programme for rehousing its tenants to proceed faster and at less cost to the taxpayer than would be possible with public funds alone. The risks transferred include the financial uncertainty arising from HAT tenants' right to choose between the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and OFHA as their future landlord.
Rail Transport
Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will analyse the increase in expenditure on rail transport in each of the next three financial years, arising from the recent comprehensive spending review, between the expenditure he anticipates will be undertaken in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. [133120]
Mr. Hill: The expenditure on rail announced in the Spending Review 2000 relates to Great Britain. It is not possible to provide a geographical breakdown at this stage. The distribution of expenditure will depend on progress with franchise replacement and on priorities for investment identified in the shadow Strategic Rail Authority's first strategic plan to be published in November.
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