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19 Apr 2006 : Column 706W—continued
Roads
Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the percentage of total capacity on the motorways that is used. [63330]
Dr. Ladyman:
No estimates of the total capacity of the motorway network have been made nor what percentage of this capacity is currently used. On most
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motorways, the traffic demand reaches capacity for a relatively small proportion of the day, usually during the morning or evening peak periods, or both.
Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the cost to the (a) environment and (b) economy of (i) North East Hampshire Constituency and (ii) South East England of not progressing the A3 Hindhead Improvement Scheme as soon as possible. [63830]
Dr. Ladyman: Under our appraisal criteria all major transport schemes are assessed for their impact on the environment and the economy. In the case of the A3 Hindhead scheme no separate assessment is available of the impact of the scheme specifically on the North East Hampshire Constituency nor on the South East of England.
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money the Government granted each local authority for the maintenance of local roads in each year since 1997. [63978]
Dr. Ladyman: Capital maintenance funding is allocated to local highways authorities for investment in their highway network, including its structures and street lighting. Details for the funding allocated for capital highway maintenance to all English local authorities outside London since 1997 have been placed in the House Library. It is for each local authority to determine how their allocations are spent, in line with their priorities.
The Revenue Support Grant (RSG) from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister provides revenue funding for highway maintenance. However, RSG is unhypothecated and may be applied by local authorities to any services.
Funding for local authority maintenance on local roads in London is a matter for the Mayor.
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been awarded in compensation to people who have suffered blight from road noise in each year since 1997. [63661]
Dr. Ladyman: The Highways Agency does not break down financial information on claims for compensation specifically for noise intrusion, resulting from the use of new or improved trunk roads.
The following amounts have been awarded by the Highways Agency under part I of the Land Compensation Act 1973 as compensation for the reduction in value of property caused by physical factors (including noise). These gross figures include interest on the compensation and agents' fees:
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 22.09 |
| 1998–99 | 15.23 |
| 1999–2000 | 26.54 |
| 2000–01 | 31.47 |
| 2001–02 | 29.43 |
| 2002–03 | 25.59 |
| 2003–04 | 49.96 |
| 2004–05 | 29.22 |
| 2005–06 | 48.57 |
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Local highway authorities follow the same statutory process under part I of the Land Compensation Act 1973 for the payment of noise compensation following the construction or alteration of non-trunk roads. Compensation is funded from local authority revenue and is not reflected in figures given to this question.
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his projections are for traffic growth on (a) motorways, (b) trunk roads and (c) detrunked roads for the next (i) five, (ii) 10, (iii) 20 and (iv) 50 years. [63980]
Dr. Ladyman: The Department publishes projections for 25 years, using a base year of 2000 to forecast traffic growth up to 2025. The latest projections were published in 2005, consistent with the Future of Transport White Paper, projecting a 33–40 per cent. growth in traffic from 2000 to 2010, for all vehicle types on Inter-Urban Highways Agency roads in England and a 23–29 per cent. growth for the same period for all road types for England. For the period 2000 to 2015, growth is 40–51 per cent. for Inter-Urban roads and 29–38 per cent. for all roads. The projections for 2000 to 2025 are 51–69 per cent. and 38–53 per cent. respectively.
The projections currently do not differentiate between motorways, trunk roads and detrunked roads. Traditionally, motorway traffic growth has been higher than other trunk roads, suggesting motorway traffic growth would be at the upper end of the projection ranges. More detail on the projections can be found in the 'Future of Transport: Modelling and Analysis' available on the Department's website:
Road Rage
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether he has made an assessment of the impact of road rage on drivers; [63974]
(2) what steps his Department (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to help combat and prevent road rage. [63975]
Dr. Ladyman: The term "road rage" is used to cover a wide range of aggressive behaviour. Unless a serious incident takes place the police do not become involved. It is not therefore practicable to assess the impact on drivers.
Rule 125 of the Highway Code gives guidance on being careful of and considerate towards other road users.
Those who drive aggressively may be prosecuted for offences such as careless and inconsiderate driving (section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, as amended by the Road Traffic Act 1991). Conviction may result in disqualification, a fine of up to £2,500 and an endorsement of 3–9 penalty points. Courts also have the discretion to require offenders to retake the driving test, including the theory test.
Seat Belts
Mr. Amess:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 27 March 2006,
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Official Report, column 632W on seat belts, if he will list those cars sold in the United Kingdom which are fitted with a seat belt reminder; and if he will make a statement. [64241]
Dr. Ladyman: The Department does not collect this information.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) males and (b) females who do not regularly wear a seat belt; and if he will make a statement. [64242]
Dr. Ladyman: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 16 January 2006, Official Report, column 942W. The observational survey report mentioned in that gives seat belt wearing rates by gender at Table 3.
SPECS Cameras
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many SPECS cameras are in place; and how many orders have been placed by (a) the Highways Agency and (b) Safety Camera Partnerships for additional cameras to be delivered in the next 12 months. [62239]
Dr. Ladyman:
There are currently 16 SPECS camera systems operating at core sites within the National Safety Camera Programmes for England and Wales and Scotland. There are currently no additional sites planned in the next 12 months.
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Safety Camera Partnerships are also allowed to install SPECS systems to enforce temporary reduced speed limits during road works. We do not hold records of these installations centrally.
Station Closures (Newcastle to Carlisle)
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many stations on the Newcastle to Carlisle railway are to be closed; for what reason a decision was taken to close Wetheral station; what economic and social case was made for closing (a) Wetheral and (b) Brampton stations; and what measures are being considered to avoid congestion on the railway network around Carlisle. [59683]
Derek Twigg: No stations will close on the Newcastle to Carlisle line. Wetheral and Brampton stations will remain open. Network Rail and train operators are considering measures to relieve congestion on rail routes around Carlisle, reflecting in particular the recent growth in freight traffic.
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