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Asset Management Plans
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the estimated cost is of the building (a) repair and (b) maintenance backlog contained within the Asset Management Plan of each local authority; and if he will make a statement. [25785]
Dr. Whitehead: Local authorities have submitted Asset Management Plans to Government as part of the first live round of the single capital pot during 2001. Each authority was asked to provide an estimate of its maintenance backlog for all assets—housing, education, transport, office accommodation etc. No distinction was made between repair and maintenance for this purpose.
The response rate on the question of backlog was over 70 per cent. for counties, metropolitan districts and unitary councils, 57 per cent. for London boroughs and 24 per cent. for district councils. The average backlog for those authorities responding was used to produce an estimate for the whole population.
The totals should be treated with caution as most authorities are not yet well advanced in asset management and we are not able to confirm that consistent and robust methods were used to assess the backlog.
| Average per council £ million | Total estimate of backlog £ billion | |
|---|---|---|
| Counties | 139 | 4.4 |
| Metropolitan districts | 251 | 7.8 |
| Unitary councils | 96 | 3.8 |
| London boroughs | 143 | 4.7 |
| District councils | 19 | 4.4 |
| Total | 25.1 |
Transport Emissions
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions by how much and over what periods of time he expects emissions from the transport sector to fall as a result of the Government's 10-Year transport plan. [26526]
Mr. Spellar: The three tables set out the Government's forecasts of the reduction of CO 2 , NOx and PM 1 0 emissions between 2000 and 2010 as the result of the actions set out in the Government's 10-Year Plan for Transport.
| Total emissions | Saving compared to 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 31.0 | — |
| 2010 without Plan | 31.7 | +0.7 |
| 2010 with Plan | 30.1 | -0.9 |
| Total emissions (Kt) | Percentage change on 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 501 | — |
| 2010 without Plan | 213 | -57.5 |
| 2010 with Plan | 208 | -58.5 |
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| Total emissions (Kt) | Percentage change on 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 20.3 | — |
| 2010 without Plan | 11.1 | -45.3 |
| 2010 with Plan | 11.0 | -45.8 |
Source:
"Transport 2010: The Background Analysis", Figures 14 and 15. DETR, July 2000
Standard Spending Assessment
Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to bring up to the national average the standard spending assessment for the over 65s in Devon for the financial year 2002–03. [27308]
Dr. Whitehead: We announced the provisional 2002–03 local government finance settlement for consultation on 4 December 2001. It does not include any proposals to change the current standard spending assessment methodology for elderly social services. However, we have also announced that 2002–03 will be the last year to use this system. We intend to introduce a fairer, more intelligible formula-based approach for use in 2003–04.
We are actively involving local government in our review of the system, and we will be consulting widely before taking final decisions on the best way forward.
3 Marsham Street
Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he has responsibility for the former Department of the Environment building at 3 Marsham street. [23369]
Dr. Whitehead: I presume that the hon. Member means 43 Marsham street, in which case the answer is yes.
My Department holds a lease of the whole of Romney house which expires on 24 December 2003.
Urban Regeneration
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what schemes targeting urban regeneration needs are managed by his Department; how much each scheme has available to invest; what issues each scheme aims to tackle; and how much has been spent annually since 1997 (a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in Teesside, (c) in Redcar and Cleveland and Middlesbrough councils and (d) in the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency. [25479]
Ms Keeble: The Department is collating the information and I will write to my hon. Friend when it is available. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Tolls
Mr. Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the level of tolls are on major (a) bridges, (b) tunnels and (c) roads in the United Kingdom. [26067]
15 Jan 2002 : Column 198W
Mr. Jamieson: The Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions only has policy responsibility for tolled undertakings in England. My hon. Friend should contact the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales for information about tolled undertakings within their jurisdiction.
Following is a list of major tolled bridges and tunnels (there are currently no major tolled roads open in England) and the tolls charged for motorcars and large goods vehicles:
| Undertaking | Motorcar | Large goods vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Dartford Crossings (each way) | 1.00 | 2.90 |
| Humber Bridge (each way) | 2.40 | 9.60 to 16.10 |
| Mersey Tunnels (each way) | 1.20 | 2.40 to 4.80 |
| Severn Bridges (one way) | 4.40 | 13.30 |
| Tamar Bridge (one way) | 1.00 | 2.50 to 5.50 |
| Tyne Tunnel (each way) | 1.00 | 1.20 |
Transport Infrastructure
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of (a) public spending and (b) GDP will be taken up by investment in transport infrastructure in each of the next three years. [26297]
Mr. Spellar: The proportion of total public spending that will be taken up by public investment in transport infrastructure and rolling stock for the three-year period 2001–02 to 2003–04 will be 1.0 per cent., 1.2 per cent. and 1.6 per cent. respectively. A proportion for 2004–05 is not available, because a figure for total public expenditure for that year is not available.
The proportion of GDP that will be taken up by total investment in transport infrastructure and rolling stock for the four-year period 2001–02 to 2004–05 will be 0.9 per cent., 1.0 per cent., 1.1 per cent. and 1.1 per cent. respectively.
Road Crossings
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what legal requirements exist to require local authorities to provide fixed crossings on major roads close to schools. [26468]
Ms Keeble: There are no legal requirements compelling local highway authorities to provide pedestrian crossings. Local authorities have powers to provide crossings on their roads under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
Automatic Train Protection
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the introduction of automatic train protection on the ability of the rail industry to manage other major projects at the same time; [26461]
- (2) if it remains his policy to require the rail industry to introduce ATP; and by what date. [26460]
15 Jan 2002 : Column 199W
Mr. Spellar: Under existing law, by the end of 2003 a train protection system should be in service wherever trains are operated. Where it is reasonably practicable to install it, this means automatic train protection (ATP). European Interoperability regulations will also require the European rail traffic management system (ERTMS), which includes ATP, to be fitted in certain circumstances. In addition, the Government have undertaken to bring measures arising from the public inquiry into train protection chaired jointly by Lord Cullen and Professor Uff within the 10-Year Plan for Transport.
The Health and Safety Commission are preparing advice for the Government on a realistic timetable for extending automatic train protection coverage. This advice will take account of the industry's ability to manage other projects at the same time.
Rail Industry
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent discussions his Department has had with its counterpart in the Netherlands relating to competition in the rail industry. [26464]
Mr. Spellar: Officials in my Department and the Strategic Rail Authority are in regular contact with their Dutch counterparts on a number of issues.
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