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Lay-bys

Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's policy is on the frequency of lay-bys on (a) express ways and (b) A roads; and what estimate he has made of the cost of creating a new lay-by. [56479]

Dr. Ladyman: The Department for Transport's policy on the type, location and frequency of lay-bys on new all-purpose trunk roads is contained in the Highways Agency's Advice Note TA 69/96, The Location and Layout of Lay-Bys.

The policy for the provision of new lay-bys on existing roads, including roads designated expressways, depends on the identification of a specific local need. The cost of a new lay-by has to be justified and prioritised against other safety related improvement work.
 
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The desirable spacing of lay-bys on all, new, all-purpose dual carriageway trunk roads is between two and five kilometres. On all new single carriageway all-purpose trunk roads, the spacing of lay-bys is dependent on the traffic flow. The desirable frequency on these roads should be between two and 12 kilometres.

The cost of providing a new lay-by as part of a new road scheme or on an existing road varies considerably. It depends on the individual site conditions, availability of land and requirement for retaining structures etc. but the average cost is approximately £200,000.

M20

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions the Highways Agency has had with Maidstone borough council concerning the resurfacing between junctions 8 and 9 of the M20. [56484]

Dr. Ladyman: The Highways Agency has regular dialogue with Maidstone borough council however, there have been no discussions concerning the resurfacing between junctions 8 and 9 of the M20.

Motorway Services

Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received during the past two years in respect of the regulations in force regarding the operation of motorway service stations; from whom they were received; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement. [55755]

Dr. Ladyman: During the last two years the Department has received representations concerning the regulations governing motorway service areas from a number of bodies including: the Motorway Service Area Operators Committee, RoadChef Limited, Welcome Break Limited, Moto Hospitality Limited, the Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport Association, the RAC Foundation, the AA Motoring Trust and the Association of Chief Police Officers.

The Highways Agency is currently conducting, at my request, a review of policy on motorway service areas, and other roadside facilities, with a view to improving services to motorists but not so that service areas would become destinations in their own right.

As part of this review I intend to carry out a public consultation on proposed changes to the policy guidance during the spring. It would therefore not be appropriate to make a statement at this time.

Railways

Mr. MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the proportion of trains running between Doncaster and Sheffield that stop at Rotherham Central station. [55794]

Derek Twigg: Services at Rotherham Central are provided by the Northern rail franchise. This franchise has been under review, and I expect to announce conclusions in due course.
 
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Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account will be taken of representations from the East Midlands regional assembly in deciding on the future of the Asfordby to Edwalton railway test track. [55390]

Derek Twigg [holding answer 2 March 2006]: Before a final decision is made about the future of the Asfordby to Edwalton railway test track, all interested parties including the East Midlands regional assembly will be consulted and their views taken into account.

Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Department expects to meet Network Rail to discuss the findings of Network Rail's review of the provision of railway test facilities in the UK. [55391]

Derek Twigg [holding answer 2 March 2006]: The Department for Transport expects to meet Network Rail to discuss its plans for test facilities for the railway industry when their assessment of future needs of test track facilities is complete.

Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria he used in taking the decision not to take over the ownership and operation of the Asfordby to Edwalton railway test track. [55392]

Derek Twigg [holding answer 2 March 2006]: No decision on the future of the Asfordby to Edwalton test track has yet been taken. Following Network Rail's assessment of future needs for test track facilities, if the need to retain the facility is identified, the industry will explore ways to continue the operation.

Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the impact on future railway industry development and research of the closure of the Asfordby to Edwalton railway test track. [55393]

Derek Twigg [holding answer 2 March 2006]: Before a final decision on the future of the Asfordby to Edwalton railway test track is taken, full account will be taken of the needs of the railway industry including development and research. Network Rail is currently carrying out an assessment.

Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions have taken place with interested parties on the future of the Asfordby to Edwatton railway test track. [55394]

Derek Twigg [holding answer 2 March 2006]: Informal discussions have taken place between the relevant stakeholders.

Road Accidents (Sheppey)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic fatalities there have been on Jenkins Hill, Sheppey, in the last 30 years. [55108]

Dr. Ladyman [holding answer 2 March 2006]: Between 1979 and 2004 (the earliest and latest years for which figures are available) there were two fatalities resulting from personal injury road accident on the Leysdown road (B2231) between Rowetts way roundabout and the entrance to Old Rides Farm;
 
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known locally as Jenkins Hill, Sheppey. There were 16 fatalities in total on B2231 east of the Rowetts way roundabout during the period.

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from Kent county council on road safety, on Jenkins Hill in Sheppey. [55692]

Dr. Ladyman [holding answer 3 March 2006]: I am not aware of any specific representations made by Kent county council to the Department for Transport with regard to road safety, in particular reference to Jenkins Hill on the Isle of Sheppey.

In common with all other highway authorities, Kent has a system of identifying areas where there is a poor safety record (in conjunction with the local police force) and develops remedial measures, which are funded through the Local Transport Plan.

Kent county council has sought to reassure the Department that the specific issues at Jenkins Hill are being actively addressed in the same manner as part of this process.

Road Charging

Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the introduction of road charging for hauliers based on road usage. [55230]

Dr. Ladyman: The Government's position was set out in the Secretary of State's statement to Parliament on the Transport Innovation Fund on 5 July 2005 and the Government's response to the Transport Select Committee's report: Road Pricing: the Next Steps", published on 20 July 2005.

Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria he will use to determine the location of initial pilots for road pricing schemes; and what the timescale for implementation is. [55753]

Dr. Ladyman: Decisions on the allocations of TIF funds will be taken following appraisal of their business cases against the criteria set out in Transport Innovation Fund: Guidance January 2006", copies of which were placed in the Library of the House on 26 January 2006.

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