§ Lord Fanshawe of Richmondasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much money was granted by the Department of Transport to the London Borough of Hounslow to conduct a litter scavenge of the central reservation of the A.4 between the Chiswick elevated section of the boundary with Hammersmith in 1989; what instructions were given to the London Borough of Hounslow; how many men were employed on this task; and the dates when the scavenge started and finished.
§ Viscount DavidsonIt is not practicable to give the information in the precise form requested. Allocations of £22,705 in 1988–89 and £14,481 in 1989–90 were made to the London Borough of Hounslow for all safety and maintenance cleaning on the A.4 in their area under their trunk road agency agreement with the Department of Transport. A code of practice sets out standing instructions for litter clearance, including central reservations.
The department has repeatedly been in touch with the London Borough of Hounslow about their responsibilities to clear litter from the central reservation of the A.4, from which it was understood that litter on the central reservation had been cleared in accordance with the code of practice. However the borough now say that litter has not been cleared recently.
An additional£3,240 was allocated to the council in March 1989 to carry out a special general litter clearance on specific sections of trunk roads in their area, including part of the A.4. This task was carried out. The department regrets the confusion that arose about the clearance of the central reservation. It takes a very serious view of this matter and will be taking it up with the council officially.
As the noble Lord is already aware, the department has commissioned a review of the operation of the trunk road agency arrangements in London.