§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many local authorities have fined utility companies using powers under section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. [7508)
§ Ms Keeble110 local authorities have now informed the Government that they are or will be making use of the powers to levy a daily charge on utilities where the latter's works overrun an agreed deadline. While we do not yet have comprehensive details as to exactly how many authorities have already imposed charges, the Department's consultants, Halcrow, will be gathering such information for the Government as part of the study they are conducting into the effect of the section 74 powers.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the operation of the powers given through section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991; and if he will make a statement.[7509]
§ Ms KeebleHalcrow have been appointed by the Government to carry out an assessment of the effect of the section 74 powers. They will be providing me with an interim report by the end of this year. A further report, covering the first 12 months of operation of the new powers will follow in spring 2002.
Region Project description Length (km) Properties affected per km 2001–02 South East Al2 Hatfield Peverel 1.5 158 South East M11 J6–7 NB 7 11 South East M27 J2–4 9 125 South East M25 J16–17 marker post 104/9 to 110/4 6.0 32 South West M5 J26–27 marker post 227/2 to 229/8 2.6 5