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Bill Wiggin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for how long the hydrogen fuel cell buses pilot scheme has been running; what the cost is; when the pilot is due to end; and what estimate has been made
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of the cost of (a) purchasing, (b) running and (c) maintaining (i) a hydrogen fuel cell bus and (ii) an ordinary bus. [12856]
Dr. Ladyman: The trial began in January 2004 and is due to finish in December 2005, although London and seven other cities taking part in similar trials are currently in discussions with the European Commission about extending the project for a further year.
We estimate that the total costs of the London trial will amount to over £3 million. Costs have been shared among a number of partners. The European Commission provided just over £1 million of support, and the UK Government provided just under £500,000 through the Department for Transport's New Vehicle Technology Fund programme. The trial was overseen by Transport for London and a number of other project partners provided financial and other support including London Bus Services Ltd., FirstGroup, Daimler-Chrysler, Ballard, BP and the Energy Savings Trust.
Comparing the purchase, maintenance and running costs of the hydrogen fuel cell buses against conventionally fuelled buses is neither straightforward nor meaningful. The hydrogen fuel cell buses are prototype vehicles which are not mass produced or commercially available. The approximate cost of each fuel cell bus was around £900,000, which is some seven times the cost of a similar, new diesel bus, but this cost included maintenance costs for the duration of the trial. As to running costs, the hydrogen fuel was granted a fuel duty exemption for the duration of the trial, making a direct comparison with the costs of diesel fuel difficult.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about his priorities in investment over the next year. [13208]
Ms Buck: The Department for Transport's investment priorities for next year were published on 4 July 2005 in the DfT business plan, Delivering better transport: Priorities for 200506 to 200708." The plan was developed in the context of our long-term strategy which was published in the 2004 Future of Transport" white paper.
Priority projects for the plan period include the completion of section 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, widening key sections of the M25, and progressing the West Coast Main Line upgrade.
Mr. Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the light rail schemes which have commenced construction since 1997. [12745]
Mr. Darling:
The following light rail schemes have commenced construction since 1997:
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Some advanced works have also been undertaken since 1997 for the following proposed schemes: Manchester Metrolink Phase III extensions; Merseytram; Leeds Supertram.
Mr. Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects a Lorry Road User Charge to commence operation in the UK. [12867]
Mr. Darling:
I announced to the House on 5 July that we will take forward work on distance-based lorry charging as part of our wider work on road pricing. We will continue to work with the haulage industry to ensure that its needs are represented as we develop a national road pricing system.
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Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when the (a) M1, (b) M18 and (c) M62 motorways between London and Hull will be devoid of roadworks; [12374]
(2) how many stretches of motorway on the (a) M1, (b) M18 and (c) M62 between London and Hull have been affected by (i) lane closures and (ii) motorway repair or construction work in the last month; for what reason such works were not phased to take place consecutively; and if he will make a statement; [12375]
(3) what his policy is regarding the phasing of roadworks on motorways so that those undertaking long journeys are not faced with repeated motorway lane closures. [12376]
Dr. Ladyman: The Highways Agency has a duty to keep the network under review and to carry out works to ensure the safety of the travelling public. This will include planned maintenance and improvements as well as emergency repairs.
The following stretches of the motorway on the M1, M18 and M62 between London and Hull were affected by (i) lane closures and (ii) motorway repair or construction work in the last month:
The need to carry out works in a way that ensures the safety of the travelling public means that it is not always possible to carry out planned works consecutively.
To minimise disruption all planned routine maintenance works to the motorway network are carried out at night, when traffic volumes are at their lowest. These works are generally phased so that there are at least 10 kilometres between each set of works. Roadworks are also planned so that the length of road restricted by traffic management is generally no greater than 4.5 kilometres in length. There will be times when the application of this restriction may be untenable or unsafe and in such cases the impact on the travelling public is of primary concern when considering whether adjacent schemes should go ahead concurrently.
It is sometimes necessary to close lanes on the motorway at short notice due to incidents. The Agency aims to keep these closures and disruption to a minimum. Likewise when major maintenance is necessary lanes are closed over a period of time. Any associated routine maintenance works are undertaken during these periods in order to avoid further inconvenience to motorists and to minimise the safety risks for our workforce.
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received in the last 12 months concerning the rules and restrictions which are in place in respect of motorway service areas; what plans he has to change them; and if he will make a statement. [12873]
Dr. Ladyman: In the last 12 months the Department has received representations concerning the regulations governing motorway service areas from a number of bodies including: the motorway service area operators, the road haulage industry, the RAC foundation, the AA Motoring Trust and the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why fencing is being erected adjacent to the northbound carriageway of the M1 motorway, north of Junction 11 where the motorway abuts open fields. [12875]
Dr. Ladyman: The fencing in question is immediately to the north of housing in Leagrave. It is being provided as part of the second phase of a scheme specifically designed to bring effective noise protection to residential properties in Luton adjacent to M1 between junctions 10 and 12.
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the M1 motorway was closed between junctions 34 and 35 on 7 July; for how long the motorway was closed; and on whose authority it was closed. [13595]
Dr. Ladyman: The northbound carriageway of the M1 between junctions 34 and 35 was closed from 11 pm on 7 July until 5 am on 8 July in connection with ongoing works at Tinsley Viaduct. The closure took place to enable concreting works in the hard shoulder to be carried out safely and was authorised and agreed by the Highways Agency.
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