HL Deb 18 June 1991 vol 530 c81

47 Clause 54, page 31, line 11, leave out 'which consists of or includes a carriageway'.

48 Page 31, leave out lines 15 to 23 and insert: 'For this purpose substantial road works means works for road purposes, or such works together with other works, of such description as may be prescribed.'.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 47 and 48 en bloc. I shall speak also to Amendments Nos. 51, 52, 111, 112, 115 and 116.

Your Lordships agreed to revised Clause 54 at Report stage, which provided a clearer provision for the 12-month restrictions on street works to be imposed following substantial road works. The amendments made in the other place make further improvements.

Amendments Nos. 47 and 48 replace the definition of "substantial road works" on the face of the Bill with a power for the Secretary of State to prescribe the definition of those works for road purposes which may trigger a 12-month restriction on street works. The provision is no longer limited to highways which include a carriageway, so certain road works on footpaths, cycletracks and pedestrian areas may be prescribed as "substantial road works" for the purpose of this clause. It is the Secretary of State's intention to have further consultation on which sorts of road works should be prescribed.

Amendments Nos. 51 and 52 meet a concern raised on behalf of utilities and local authorities by providing that any disputes over the withholding of consent to the execution of street works during a period of restriction may be settled by arbitration. Amendments Nos. 111, 112, 115 and 116 do the same for Scotland.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 47 and 48 en bloc.—(Lord Brabazon of Tara.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.