§ Mr. DayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport following the formation of the Highways Agency, what means are being employed to ensure highway engineering remains integrated within his Department's overall work on road safety. [33848]
§ Mr. WattsThe framework document which establishes the Highways Agency has an objective of contributing to the target of reducing road casualties by one third by the year 2000 compared with the annual average from 1981 to 1985. The agency's road users' charter sets out its commitment to contributing to the above target through a programme of implementing road safety schemes, providing better lighting and safety barriers between carriageways, encouraging safer driving at roadworks and developing winter maintenance practice. The enhancement of road safety is also a key objective of the programme of road improvements. The agency's performance is monitored against its business plan targets.