§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received about the effect of military convoys on road safety on the A696; and if his Department and the Highways Agency have had discussions with the police authority about the future escorting of convoys to and from the Otterburn Range. [132915]
§ Mr. HillI have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to the right hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. A. J. Beith, dated 27 July 2000:
The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the effect of military convoys on road safety on the A696, and the possibility of the future escorting of convoys to and from the Otterburn Range.The Highways Agency has received a number of representations from Parish Councils, other community groups and individuals about military convoys on the A696. Officers from the Agency have discussed this on a number of occasions with Northumbria Police. While this is a matter of operational concern to the Agency, at present the movements of the convoys along the highway are largely the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence and the Police. The Police involvement depends upon the size and weight of the vehicles in the convoy. The Agency has had a number of meetings with the MOD and the Police in an attempt to ensure safety and minimise disruption due to the movements of convoys and their timing.Should you require any further information, please contact the Area Manager, Neil Taylor at our Leeds office, on 0113 283 5481.