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13 Nov 2003 : Column 435W—continued
TRANSPORT
A36 (Safety)
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safety measures he will put in place on the A36 through Plaitford and West Wellow in (a) financial year 2003–04 and (b) the next financial year and beyond. [137463]
Mr. Jamieson: I have asked the Acting Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Stephen Hickey, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Stephen Hickey to Mr. Robert Key, dated 13 November 2003:
- I have been asked by David Jamieson to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what safety measures will be put in place on the A36 through Plaitford and West Wellow in this financial year, the next financial year and beyond.
- The Highways Agency has identified a number of schemes that will improve the safety on this length of road. Many of these measures are outlined in the draft A36 Plaitford to West Wellow Speed and Safety Study sent to you for comment on 26 September.
- During this financial year, signing improvements on both approaches to Blackhill Road have been completed. Works to improve the bus stop at Whinwhistle Road, providing raised kerbs, a new shelter and extended footway have also been completed. Also work is currently ongoing to install 2 safety cameras at Whinwhistle Road junction. Construction of a Toucan crossing at the eastern arm of Canada Common roundabout is planned subject to funding.
- Schemes proposed for the next financial year involve the reduction of vehicle speeds through Plaitford by signing, road markings and vehicle-activated signs. The provision of a vehicle-activated sign to warn of queues at the Whinwhistle Road junction is also planned. Alterations to the width of the circulatory carriageway on Canada Common roundabout is proposed to reduce vehicle speeds and surface treatments are planned to reinforce speed limits.
- Schemes being investigated for possible inclusion in future programmes include the provision of controlled and uncontrolled crossings along this length of road, and the reduction of the existing 50mph speed limit through Plaitford to 40mph.
American Ships (Disposal)
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what dates his Department held the discussions with (a) English Nature, (b) the Environment Agency and (c) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which were referred to in the press releases by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of (i) 6 October and (ii) 10 October about the decommissioning of United States vessels by Able UK. [137144]
Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 10 November 2003]: There were a number of discussions with English Nature, the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs prior to the issue of press releases on 4 and 10 October. (MCA did not issue a press release on 6 October.)
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Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date his Department was informed that the Environment Agency had warned (a) Able UK and (b) the United States authorities that the ships destined for recycling at Hartlepool should not sail. [137145]
Mr. McNulty [holding answer 10 November 2003]: I refer to replies given by my noble Friend, Lord Whitty, Official Report, House of Lords, 7 October 2003, c. 145–48. The Department was informed on 29 and 30 October that the Environment Agency were about to advise both Able UK and the United States authorities of validity problems with the licences issued for the dismantling of these vessels in the UK.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether the Government advised the US ships (a) Canisteo and (b) Caloosahatchee on the courses they should take through the English Channel; [138379]
- (2) whether the US ships (a) Canisteo and (b) Caloosahatchee were advised to keep to the eastbound shipping lane off Start Point; and if he will make a statement. [138380]
Mr. McNulty: The original course, which was approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, took the vessels through the Casquets Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the eastbound lane. At the time of entry into the Channel, Able UK were contacted by officers of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and advised that this was the preferred route.
In practice the vessels passed north of the Casquets TSS and then joined the north-eastbound lane of the Dover Strait TSS. While the eastbound lane through the Casquets TSS was preferred by MCA, the route taken by the tugs was legitimate and safe.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a chart showing the approved route in United Kingdom waters for United States ships sailing to Able UK's facility at Hartlepool. [137189]
Mr. Jamieson: I am arranging for copies of the relevant charts to be made available in the Libraries of both Houses.
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to prevent redundant naval ships from the United States of America from entering United Kingdom territorial waters for disposal. [137147]
Mr. Jamieson: Powers of intervention may be exercised only where a ship is in UK Waters and it is considered necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of the ships or other ships; the safety of persons or property; or preventing or reducing significant pollution. These ships do not present such a threat.
Gatwick Airport
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Horsham of 3 November 2003, Official Report,
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column 391W, on Gatwick airport, whether the net economic benefit quoted takes into account externalities, with particular reference to environmental damage. [138580]
Mr. McNulty: The net economic benefits estimated for Gatwick and other south east airport options take into account the externalities associated with aviation's climate change impacts. In producing calculations of economic benefits of additional capacity at all south east airport options, it was assumed that by 2015 an economic instrument would be in place to meet the climate change impact of aircraft emissions. This has the effect of reducing forecast passenger numbers by 10 per cent. and reducing the net economic benefits of all the capacity options.
M4 and Severn Bridge
Mr. Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the closure of
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the M4 and Severn Bridge on 2–3 November; what criteria were used in deciding on the closure; and whether the revised protocol by the steering group was applied. [137065]
Mr. Jamieson: I have asked the Acting Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Stephen Hickey, to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Stephen Hickey to Mr. Huw Edwards, dated 13 November 2003:
- I have been asked by David Jamieson to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding the closure of the M4 and Severn Bridge on 2 to 3 November 2003.
- The Highways Agency took the decision to close the M48 Severn Bridge at 05.10 hours on Sunday 2 November when the wind was recorded as gusting in excess of 40 knots. The bridge reopened at 16.00 hours on Monday 3 November. The revised protocol by the steering group was applied; this protocol can be seen at Table 1. The M4 Second Severn Crossing was not closed.
| Gust windspeed (Knots) | Threshold requirement(i.e. criteria set within the monitoring equipment) | Response(i.e. Action to be Taken) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 30 Knots exceeded six times within any 10 minute period | All matrix signs to be set to indicate 40MPH |
| 35 | 35 Knots exceeded three times in any 10-minute period. Leeward lane identified by wind direction | Alternate matrix signs to be amended to indicate leeward lane closed in each direction. |
| 40 | 40 Knots exceeded six times in any 10 minute period | Introduce height restriction strategy, (if unavailable close to all traffic) |
| Decreasing | No gust has exceeded 30 knots within 30 minute period | Seek authority to remove the imposed restrictions |
Rail Industry
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the benefits to the travelling public of private sector involvement in the rail industry, with particular regard to (a) safety and (b) punctuality; and if he will make a statement. [137897]
Mr. McNulty: Our priority is to tackle years of underinvestment by working in partnership with the private sector. Network Rail's programme of substantial network renewals, much of which is financed by private investment, will deliver lasting improvements in safety and punctuality for the travelling public now and in years to come. Privately financed train construction has also enabled a major fleet replacement programme which will again benefit passengers as new trains are safer and more comfortable.
Roadworks (Accidents)
Mr. Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents there have been in the roadworks on the M5 between junctions 21 and 20 since they began in October that have resulted in delays for drivers of more than 20 minutes. [137378]
Mr. Jamieson: I have asked the Acting Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Stephen Hickey, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Stephen Hickey to Mr. Adrian Flook, dated 13 November 2003:
- I have been asked by David Jamieson to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of accidents there have been in the roadworks on the M5 between junctions 21 and 20 since they began in October that have resulted in delays for drivers of more than twenty minutes.
- There have been two accidents in the roadworks since they began that have resulted in delays of more than twenty minutes.
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