| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
2 May 2006 : Column 1464W—continued
Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Mr. Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what forecasts his Department has made of the carbon dioxide emissions from each of the UK's (a) designated and (b) non-designated airports for each year for which assessments have been made. [66736]
Derek Twigg [holding answer 27 April 2006]: The Department has not produced carbon dioxide forecasts on an airport by airport basis. The Government believes that the best way of ensuring that aviation contributes towards the goal of climate stabilisation is through a well-designed emissions trading regime.
Crossrail
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the status of Crossrail Line 2. [66132]
Derek Twigg: Responsibility for taking forward proposals on the Chelsea-Hackney line now rests with the Mayor of London.
Departmental Leave (Stress)
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have been on sick leave suffering from stress in his Department in each of the last three years; and what percentage of the total staff number this represents. [63547]
Derek Twigg: The number of people that have been on sick leave suffering from stress 1 and the percentage of the total staff this represents for each of the last three years is:
| Total number of staff absent | Percentage of total staff | |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 991 | 6.4 |
| 2004 | 831 | 5 |
| 2005 | 631 | 3.7 |
It should be noted that the reduction in figures in 2005 has been influenced in part by the incomplete data supplied by DVLA. The 2005 figures for DVLA are for January to June only due to a change in their HR system. DVLA figures for the remainder of 2005 will be available at a later date.
First Great Western
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with First Great Western on redoubling the track between Kemble and Swindon. [65790]
2 May 2006 : Column 1465W
Derek Twigg: The Department has not had any discussions with First Great Western on this. This would be for Network Rail to take forward and I have therefore asked them to write directly to my hon. Friend.
Grievance Procedures
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many grievance procedures have been initiated in his Department in each of the last three years. [63548]
Derek Twigg: The number of grievance procedures initiated in the Department for Transport in each of the last three years is as follows:
| Number | |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 26 |
| 2005 | 50 |
Highways Agency are not included in the figures as they do not collect this information centrally, but are doing so from 1 April 2006.
There are several reasons for an increase in cases over the three years, including:
Infrastructure Projects
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State forTransport what assessment he has made of the potential for (a) cost and (b) time savings through reform of planning processes and public inquiries for major infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement. [63245]
Derek Twigg: The Department has considered, with other relevant Departments, the scope for improving the effectiveness of the planning system in handling proposals for major infrastructure schemes. Rod Eddington, who has been appointed by the Department for Transport and Her Majesty's Treasury to advise on the long-term impact of transport decisions on the UK's productivity, stability and growth, is also now considering this as part of his study. The Department has not sought to estimate specific cost or time savings which might result from changes to the planning system.
Purple Airspace
Mr. Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the flights other than those used by members of the royal family which were granted Purple airspace in each year since 1997. [66904]
Derek Twigg:
The configuration and promulgation of Purple Airspace" ceased in 2001 in response to the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2005. Royal and selected VIP flights are now contained within the UK's
2 May 2006 : Column 1466W
existing controlled airspace structure and, as necessary, within time-limited temporary controlled airspace outside the permanent route structure.
Such flights include those by members of other royal families, other reigning sovereigns, prime ministers, heads of state of commonwealth and foreign countries, and UK Members of Parliament requiring expeditious handling. The above measures are implemented by means of a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM). As NOTAM is also used to implement a number of other air traffic control procedures, and records kept are not subject specific, it is not possible to provide the hon. Member with a definitive number of royal and VIP flights that have flown within existing and temporary controlled airspace.
Road Accidents (Essex)
Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people were (a) killed and (b) injured in road accidents in Essex, excluding Southend and Thurrock, in each year between 1995 and 2004. [66955]
Dr. Ladyman: The number of people killed and injured in each county and unitary authority in Great Britain are published annually in the report Road Casualties Great Britain".
The numbers of people killed and injured in personal injury road accidents in Essex (excluding the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock) each year between 1995 and 2004 (the latest for which figures are available) are given in the following table.
Royal Travel
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 18 April 2006, Official Report, columns 59–60W, on royal travel, why environmental impact is not one of the given criteria for determining the mode of travel; and if he will change the criteria to include environmental impacts. [65491]
Derek Twigg:
The criteria which were established in 1997 were based on previous guidelines on royal and ministerial travel. However, as part of a current review of the Financial Memorandum governing the grant-in-aid with the Royal Household, the criteria for official royal travel will be re-examined to consider the need for any change.
2 May 2006 : Column 1467W
Transport Improvements (Coventry)
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what transport improvements for which his Department is responsible there have been in Coventry, South in the past 12 months; what further improvements are planned; and if he will make a statement. [66822]
Derek Twigg: The following schemes were carried out in the last 12 months:
The Highways Agency have carried out a number of maintenance enhancement works on the A45 and A46 trunk roads including reconstruction of the A45 between Ryton-on-Dunsmore and the Tollbar End junction (£1.2 million); a junction improvement at A45/A445 at Ryton-on-Dunsmore (£4.5 million); and erection of noise barriers on the A46 south of interchange with A45 at Stivichall (£0.27 million).
In March 2005 Network Rail replaced two level crossings; with a road bridge at Tile Hill, and a pedestrian footbridge at Canley.
Under the West Midlands Local Transport Plan settlement for 2005–06, almost £70 million was allocated to the West Midlands metropolitan local authorities (of which £6.56 million was for Coventry) for transport measures (under £5 million) and road maintenance.
In addition, the following schemes are planned:
A £57 million upgrade of A45/A46 Tollbar End roundabout to provide a grade separated interchange is proposed for 2009–10.
The £31 million LTP-funded Coventry Quality Bus Network scheme will substantially improve bus service provision in four key corridors and will enhance access to some of the most disadvantaged communities. Full approval was given in December 2004 and is due to be completed in 2008.
Network Rail are undertaking resignalling and providing twin-tracking in August/September 2006 on the Leamington to Nuneaton line to the south of Coventry Station.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |