§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make available further financial assistance to Bradford council to enable private street works to be carried out where the procedure was not properly undertaken by the West Yorkshire metropolitan county council and where as a consequence works are outstanding; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyNo. The cost of private street works is usually apportioned between the owner of properties fronting the street involved.
§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress that has been made with the new legislation to replace the Public Street Works Act 1950, including the various codes of practice he is considering introducing under regulations; and what is the timetable for legislation.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyGood progress has been made with proposals for primary legislation. Responses to our recent consultation paper were overwhelmingly in support 95W of the majority of proposals. Good progress is also being made with the various codes of practice required to support new legislation through the hard work and co-operation of the highway authority associations and the utilities. A paper giving a fuller report on progress has been placed in the Library. A Bill will be introduced as soon as a suitable opportunity can be found.