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Congestion

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what method his Department uses for calculating congestion; [7530]

(2) what definition of congestion his Department uses. [7531]

Dr. Ladyman: The measure that has been used in the past is derived from comparing actual traffic speeds with those that would be achievable in the absence of congestion. Full details of the methodology are available on the Department's website at www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/page/dft_transstats_021863.pdf.

However, the Department has always acknowledged the limitations of measuring congestion in this way and is currently developing new, more detailed data sources and new measures of traffic congestion.

Crossrail

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of whether the Eurostar Depot at North Pole could accommodate the Crossrail fleet. [7496]

Derek Twigg: On 26 May 2005, Cross London Rail Link's released a report on Depot Location Options. The reports details the selection and assessment of all the sites considered which includes the North Pole depot.
 
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Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that the Westlands Playing Field and adjacent land is returned to its original use when it is no longer required for the Crossrail worksite. [7497]

Derek Twigg: Measures to mitigate the impacts of Crossrail on the Westlands Playing Field are currently under discussion with the London borough of Havering. The intention is however to return the site to its original use.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he expects the Crossrail maintenance depot in Romford to operate 24 hours a day. [7498]

Derek Twigg: The Romford Depot is expected to operate on a 24 hours a day basis.

Departmental Finance and Payroll Contract

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he expects that the planned Enterprise Option centralising the Department's finance and payroll functions will use the Partners Achieving Change Together contract; and whether it is compliant with EU public sector procurement rules. [6555]

Ms Buck: The Department intends to use the PACT contract to obtain professional advice on the implementation of its shared services project, which will cover finance, payroll and HR activities. The terms of the PACT contract are such that its use on this project is compliant with EU public sector procurement rules.

Departmental Relocation

Mr. Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of his Department's posts (a) have been relocated and (b) are under consideration for relocation from London to the deprived areas of the South East. [6265]

Ms Buck: The Department and its Agencies are implementing the Lyons Review recommendations to relocate 66 posts out of London and the South East by 2010.

So far, the department has relocated 12 posts from London to Hastings, a relatively deprived area in the South East. A further 13 posts will also relocate there. Timing is dependent on other efficiency programme decisions.

Driving Tests

Mr. Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average waiting time for tests was at each Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency driving test centre in the last year for which figures are available, ranked in order. [7104]

Mr. Darling: The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is responsible for delivering the driving test. The Agency publishes each week on its website data on the availability of practical tests for learner drivers at each of the permanent test centres which indicates average waiting times.
 
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House Building (Traffic)

Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how plans to reduce the level of motorway noise will be adjusted to take account of changes in traffic flow resulting from increased levels of house building in the South East. [6982]

Dr. Ladyman: The Government will in 2007 publish maps of noise from motorways. These maps will be updated at least every five years to take into account any changes in conditions and plans to reduce noise levels will be reviewed accordingly.

Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the Government's house building targets for the South East on (a) traffic flows and (b) consequent noise levels on the M3 between junctions 5 and 7. [6983]

Dr. Ladyman: Changes to traffic flows on the M3 between junctions 5 and 7 will depend upon the future location of housing which, in the first instance, will be determined by the South East Plan, currently being drafted by the South East England Regional Assembly. The Highways Agency is contributing to deliberations on the draft Plan.

We will be reviewing plans to reduce the level of motorway noise as the result of the noise maps that will be published in 2007 in accordance with EU Directive 2002/49/EC.

M3

Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when noise levels between Junction 5 and 7 on the M3 were last monitored; and whether there have been changes in the noise levels over time. [6980]

Dr. Ladyman: To calculate road traffic noise levels, the Department uses a model set out in the technical memorandum Calculation of Road Traffic Noise" rather than roadside noise monitoring, which is subject to variables such as the weather and changing traffic conditions.

Roadside noise levels have not therefore been monitored on the M3 between Junctions 5 and 7. However, assessments have been made using the traffic noise model. Calculations indicate that the level of traffic noise between M3 Junctions 5 and 7 is likely to have increased by around 4.5dB over the last 20 years.

Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans are in place to reduce the levels of motorway noise for residents living around junctions 5, 6 and 7 of the M3; and when those measures will be completed. [6981]

Dr. Ladyman: Following an assessment of noise severity, noise barriers have already been installed between M3 junctions 6 and 7 adjacent to the areas of Hatch Warren and Black Dam.

A further series of noise mitigation measures is also planned for this section of the M3 Motorway. The proposal is to install noise barriers adjacent to the permanent caravan site at Hatch, between M3 junctions 5 and 6. There are also plans to resurface a section of the
 
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M3 between junctions 5 and 7 to maintain the operational safety of the carriageway and a lower noise surface will be used.

Two further sites at Up Nately and Mapledurwell are being investigated for the possible provision of noise barriers.

Subject to funding, work at the Hatch caravan site work is programmes for 2007 and the resurfacing work in 2008. Following further investigation and availability of funds, work at Up Nately and Mapledurwell will be considered for programming beyond 2009–10.

M40/A40

Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish the M40/A40 route management strategy. [7040]

Dr. Ladyman: The Highways Agency plans to publish this strategy by mid-July.

Mersey Tram

Mr. Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Merseytram scheme to proceed. [7118]

Mr. Darling: I refer the hon. Member to my statement of 13 June. The promoters of Merseytram are exploring the scope for progressing Line 1 within the committed funding.

Mini-Motorbikes

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to assess the extent of illegal use of mini-motorbikes on (a) public roads and (b) public spaces. [7243]

 
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Dr. Ladyman: The Department currently has no plans to assess the extent of illegal use of mini-motorbikes on public roads and spaces, but we do appreciate that misuse of these vehicles can cause significant alarm, harassment or distress to local communities. I understand that the Home Office has received representations from the police about illegal and irresponsible use of miniature vehicles and is examining what more might be done to tackle this problem.

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