§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when authorising the closing of The Mall, what steps were made within his Department to conform to the code of practice for the co-ordination of street works published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. [72268]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthResponsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Viviane Robertson to Mr. Nicholas Soames, dated 22 February 1999:
In the absence of the Chief Executive, Mr. David Welch, I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to answer your Parliamentary Question about the closure of the Mall, because it is an operational matter that falls within the responsibility of this Agency.The code of practice is designed for use by local authorities in relation to street works in an urban setting. However, the Agency is aware of, and follows, the requirements of the code of practice and it consulted Westminster City Council, as the local highway authority, about the works.
§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reason The Mall is to be closed for the three weeks from 15 February. [70813]
§ Mr. Alan Howarth[holding answer 15 February 1999]The Royal Parks Agency is closing The Mall in order to carry out necessary work to resurface the road and to effect safety improvements at accident black spots. In accordance with the advice received following consultation with Westminster City Council, as the local highway authority, and the Metropolitan Police, the Royal Parks Agency has sought to concentrate works in the shortest period in order to minimise disruption, and this unfortunately requires total closure of The Mall for three weeks.