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14 Jun 2005 : Column 246W—continued
Clive Soley
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the recent occasions on which (a) he, (b) other Ministers in his Department and (c) officials of the Department have met Clive Soley on departmental business. [2291]
Ms Buck: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport met Clive Soley at the Future Heathrow event on Monday 23 May. No other Department for Transport Ministers have recently met Clive Soley on departmental business. It is not known whether any officials from the Department for Transport may have met Clive Soley recently since no central record is kept of meetings officials attend.
Commercial Pilots
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many hours flying time per month are considered necessary for commercial pilots to retain their skills and competence. [3177]
Ms Buck: There are no specified flying hours per month necessary for pilots of commercial aircraft to retain their skills and competence. Commercial pilots are however required to complete a minimum of three take-offs and three landings as pilot flying (i.e. handling the aircraft) in the previous 90 days prior to operating a public transport flight, and a programme of recurrent training and checking requires them to demonstrate high levels of competency.
Crossrail
Dr. Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the latest estimate is of the cost of Crossrail. [3967]
Derek Twigg: The latest estimate of the cost of Crossrail is contained in the Estimate of Expense submitted with the Crossrail hybrid Bill.
EU Directive
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what derogations the Government have (a) sought and (b) secured from (i) Article 4, (ii) Article 7 and (iii) other articles of Directive 2002/15/EC. [4230]
Dr. Ladyman: Directive 2002/15/EC allows for various derogations from Articles 4 and 7 under certain conditions. There is no requirement to seek approval for such derogations from the European Commission.
The Government consulted twice on their approach to implementing the Directive, including the use of derogations, and, following these consultations, the implementing regulations allowed for:
(a) the extension of the reference period (Article 4 of the Directive) over which the average 48 hour weekly working time limit is calculated from 17 to 26 weeks; and,
In both cases, such derogations may be applied only where there is a collective or workforce agreement (as required under the Directive).
No derogations are allowed from Articles of the Directive other than Articles 4 and 7.
High-occupancy Vehicle Lanes
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the location of each high occupancy vehicle lane is; how long each lane is; and what new lanes are planned. [1673]
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Dr. Ladyman: Three sections of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane are presently in operation. In Leeds two lengths totalling 1.5 km have been installed along a 2 km stretch of the A647 Stanningley Road. South Gloucestershire council has three sections of HOV lane on the A4174 Avon Ring Road totalling 1.79 km. North Somerset council has a 1.425 km length of HOV lane on the A370 Long Ashton Bypass.
Leeds city council plans to include HOV lane operation on the East Leeds Link. South Gloucestershire council plans a further 220 metre length for the A4174 and North Somerset council is considering an HOV lane on the A369 as part of a showcase bus route. I understand a number of other local authorities are also considering HOV lanes.
In addition the Highways Agency has recently carried out a study that assessed the feasibility of introducing HOV lanes on sections of the motorway network. As a result of this study it is planned to introduce an HOV lane in both directions on the M1 junctions 7–10 when that section of motorway is widened in 2008. If this scheme proves successful the HOV lane could be extended as far as junction 13 (Milton Keynes) when that section of motorway is widened in 2011. The length of HOV lane to be provided between junction 7–10 is approximately 12.5 km in both directions. If the HOV is extended to junction 13 the total length will be about 36.25 km in both directions.
The Agency is also looking into the feasibility of introducing HOV lanes on other sections of the motorway network. Locations being actively considered include sections of the M25 to be widened, M61 junctions 6–3 on the approach to Manchester and M62 junctions 25–27 on the approach to Leeds. This feasibility work is yet to conclude.
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has collated on the effectiveness of high occupancy vehicle lanes. [1676]
Dr. Ladyman: The Department is in touch with the highway authorities who have installed high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. The Highways Agency has commissioned reviews of international knowledge and experience on high occupancy/toll (HOT) lanes, a development of HOV lanes.
Leeds city council has reported on the HOV lane on the A647 in Leeds and an information sheet is available on their website at http://www.leeds.gov.uk/, then search for high occupancy vehicle lane.
South Gloucester council can provide data on the performance of their HOV lane and there is some information on their website at http://www.southglos.gov.uk/SouthGlos/TransportAndRoads/TrafficAndRoads/CalmingAndManagement/CarShareLanes.htm
It is too early to report on the lane on the A370 Long Ashton Bypass in North Somerset which commenced operation in February this year.
Learner Driver Pack
John Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will (a) withdraw the Complete Official Learner Driver Pack published by The Stationery
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Office, (b) amend the inaccurate information it contains and (c) refund the cost to learner drivers and others who have purchased the Pack. [2852]
Dr. Ladyman: We have identified an error concerning information about a road sign in the DVD in our Complete Official Learner Driver Pack. We are taking steps to withdraw the incorrect packs from sale. We shall consider sympathetically any requests for a refund.
Litter
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many successful prosecutions were carried out against passengers for dropping litter at (a) train stations and (b) tube stations in London in each year since 1997. [2512]
Derek Twigg: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
M6
Dr. Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has evaluated on (a) the purposes for car journeys on the M6 and (b) the average length of car journeys on the M6. [2764]
Dr. Ladyman: The purposes of car journeys and the average trip length on the M6 has been evaluated in connection with the West Midlands to North West Conurbations Multi-Modal Study.
(a)The purpose of car journeys that join the M6 between Junctions 11 and 19 were as follows:
| AM | Inter-Peak | PM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commuting | 58.2 | 12.8 | 49.8 |
| Business | 27.5 | 43.6 | 26.2 |
| Other | 14.0 | 43.6 | 24.0 |
These figures exclude journeys on the M6 that pass through both these junctions. The Department for Transport does not hold information on the purpose of these journeys.
(b) 42 per cent. of all traffic (cars, vans, lorries etc) passes through both Junction 11 and 19 and therefore has a journey length greater than 54 miles.
M62
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason a traffic survey was being carried out east of junction 37 on the M62 motorway on 4 June; and who was carrying out the survey. [3041]
Dr. Ladyman: A traffic survey was carried out east of junction 37 on the M62 motorway on 4 June to look at traffic flows in preparation for the removal of cones to be undertaken. The cones were in place to allow the installation of safety barriers. The survey was carried out by Balfour Beatty on behalf of the Highways Agency.
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents took place on the M62 motorway east of junction 37 in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [3042]
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Dr. Ladyman: There have been five accidents on the M62 motorway east of junction 37 during 2004, the latest year for which figures are available.
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why speed cameras are being erected on the M62 motorway east of junction 37; upon whose authority the cameras were erected; for how long the cameras are expected to remain; and if he will make a statement. [3043]
Dr. Ladyman: Speed cameras have been erected on the M62 motorway east of junction 37 as part of the M62 Gilberdyke to Newport concrete resurfacing scheme to improve safety for the travelling public and the work force during the works. The cameras have been erected by the Highways Agency in agreement with the Humberside Camera Partnership and Humberside police. The cameras will be in place for the duration of the works. The works started on 9 June and are expected to last 10 weeks.
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