§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department takes to ensure the efficient removal of litter from the A19 between Middlesbrough and Sunderland.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe requirements of the Department for routine maintenance of the A19 trunk road is contained within the Department's document, "Code of Practice for Routine Maintenance".
The section of the A19 between Middlesbrough and Sunderland is maintained on behalf of the Department by three agent authorities: Sunderland metropolitan borough council, Durham county council and Cleveland county council. They have all been seen to be observing the code as far as the question of litter is concerned.
In accordance with general policy, litter receptacles are not provided in the lay-bys on the A19. The public are advised to take litter home. This general policy appears to work well. There is no evidence of significant dumping. The Department arranges for litter clearance where it may be seen there is a hazard or nuisance. Particular problems are dealt with subsequent to reports from several sources, including our agent authorities, the police, motoring organisations and the travelling public.
The code requirements adopted by the Department's maintaining agent authorities and district councils as appropriate on the A19 trunk road, include:
- (a) sweeping the trunk road annually;
- (b) removing hazardous material, litter and debris as soon as possible as reported by routine maintenance personnel, the police, motoring organisations and the public; and
- (c) scavenging and cleaning of lay-bys and the removal of wind-blown litter and abandoned cars, if necessary, by district councils supplemented by reports from several and obvious sources.
The Department's regional office staff are aware of the conditions on the A19 trunk road and react to circumstances as necessary.