§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the value of the cones hotline; [7639]
(2) what plans he has to create a departmental hotline to give motorists details of roadworks and routes; how many staff will be employed: and at what total cost. [7640]
§ Mr. WattsI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 6 November at column759. Staffing of the Highways Agency information line is an operational matter for the agency. I understand that staffing levels are kept under review according to the volume of calls received. The service is currently manned from 8 am to 8 pm on working days and 9 am to 5 pm at weekends. Three members of staff are on duty from 9 am to 5 pm during weekdays, and one member is on duty early morning, evening and at weekends. The total cost of staffing the service is expected to be about £70,000 per annum.