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Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the value of sales of surplus assets from his Department was in each year since 200001. [220958]
Mr. Paul Murphy: The value of sales of surplus assets from my Department (including its agencies but excluding NDPBs) is as follows:
£ | |
---|---|
200001 | 248,000 |
200102 | 0 |
200203 | 648,000 |
200304 | 207,000 |
This information is included in the departmental resource accounts, copies of which are available in the Library.
David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to improve traffic congestion at Sandyknowes roundabout on the M2 motorway in Northern Ireland. [223168]
Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. David Burnside, dated 22 March 2005:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about what plans he has to improve traffic congestion at Sandyknowes roundabout on the M2 motorway in Northern Ireland. I have been asked to reply as these issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
The recently published Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan (BMTP) proposes modifications to the Sandyknowes roundabout incorporating full signalisation coupled with layout improvements to minimise conflicts between different traffic movements and afford greater priority to the strategic M2 and A8 movements. Roads Service is currently investigating various options to implement these proposals.
The M2 southbound from Sandyknowes junction through the Greencastle interchange to join the M5 is due to be widened to three lanes as part of Package 1 of Roads Service's DBFO Programme.
In addition, the Transport Assessment associated with a planning application for the Global Point Development at Ballyhenry, has identified a traffic impact on the Sandyknowes
David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his plans are for improving road and rail links between the airport at Aldergrove and Belfast, with particular reference to the Dunsilly roundabout M2 link through Antrim town to the airport. [223171]
Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. Burnside, dated 22 March 2005:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question, about what his plans are for improving road and rail links between the airport at Aldergrove and Belfast, with particular reference to the Dunsilly roundabout M2 link through Antrim town to the airport. (223171). I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
You may recall that John Spellar, MP, in his letter dated 22 October 2004, assured you that the importance of Belfast International Airport as a transport hub was recognised by the Regional Development Strategy and the Regional Transportation Strategy. During preparation of the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan (RSTN TP), the transport links to Belfast International Airport were examined. However, it was considered that the three roads radiating out from the Killead roundabout provided good links to the strategic road network, servicing the Province and beyond. No additional road infrastructure was considered necessary during the life of the Plan.
The Antrim Road/Dublin Road between Belfast International Airport and Antrim does not offer a direct link to the Key Strategic Road Network and is not therefore, considered to be either a Key Strategic Corridor or Link Corridor, as defined in the Regional Development Strategy. However, the RSTN TP appraisal process included the examination of a new link road connecting the M2 Motorway/Rathmore roundabout to Belfast International Airport, and it is hoped that this proposal will be included, not only in Roads Service's Long Term Forward Planning Schedule, but also as a potential Transport Scheme in the forthcoming Antrim/Ballymena/Larne Development Plan, currently being prepared by the Department of the Environment's Planning Service. The inclusion of this scheme would afford protection of the route from any development that would be likely to prejudice future implementation of a scheme.
With regard to the Antrim Road/Dublin Road, which forms part of the route from the Dunsilly Roundabout to the airport, I can advise that Roads Service has identified a number of possible road improvements. The first of these, involving the realignment and widening of approximately 500m of carriageway, together with a right turn lane and improved visibility splays at the Dungonnell Road junction to Crumlin, is scheduled to start during the 2005/06 financial year.
The proposed improvements to the M2 motorway, which will be undertaken as part of Package 1 of Roads Service's DBFO Programme, will widen the existing carriageway to provide three lanes in the Belfast bound direction from Sandyknowes junction through the Greencastle interchange to join the M5. An additional lane will also be provided to carry 3 lanes through the Greencastle interchange in the northbound direction. The works will include the replacement of three of the bridges over the M2 motorway on this section of the route, i.e. Hightown Bridge, Collin Bridge, and Longlands Bridge.
With regard to improving rail links to the airport, I understand in the context of a new park and ride site near Templepatrick, that Translink would consider diverting the current bus service between Aldergrove and the Europa Bus Centre to enable a rail connection to be made there.
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to reduce the contribution that aircraft make to greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement. [221749]
Charlotte Atkins: The Government's proposals to tackle the climate change impacts of aviation are set out in the Future of Air Transport White Paper (paragraphs 3.353.43).
Mr. Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the A65 quality bus scheme submitted by Leeds city council and West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive; and when he expects to make a decision on funding for the scheme. [223526]
Charlotte Atkins: Ministers decided to ask regional bodies for a view on its priority. It is now for Leeds city council to determine which of the schemes they would want considered, and the justification for that decision.
Full consideration of regional views is currently expected to commence in time for the 2006 settlement. Local authorities would need to provide a strong case for the Department to reconsider schemes remitted to the region before those arrangements are in place.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) his Department and (b) other Government Departments have responsibility within Wales for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No.568). [223103]
Mr. Jamieson: The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004 apply to the whole of Great Britain.
These regulations are the policy responsibility of the Department for Transport. Competent authority functions are primarily shared between DfT and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The lead agency for enforcement of the regulations in Wales is the HSE. The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and the Welsh police forces also have enforcement responsibilities under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding with the HSE.
Pete Wishart:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the drafting process that was followed for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and use of Transportable Pressure Equipment
23 Mar 2005 : Column 811W
Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No.568); and whether individuals from outside his Department were involved in the drafting. [223132]
Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 21 March 2005]: Transport Ministers and the Chair of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) exchanged correspondence in 2000 and the HSC were invited to prepare the draft regulations. HSC instructed the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to undertake that task. HSE's policy and legal advisors prepared the regulations (including a regulatory impact assessment and full consultation exercise) and these were submitted to the DfT who agreed and made them on 1 April 2004.
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