HC Deb 25 January 1996 vol 270 cc353-4W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects of road salting on (i) roadside flora, (ii) roadside fauna, (iii) vehicles and (iv) bridges. [11644]

Mr. Watts

I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 25 January 1996: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your question asking what assessment he has commissioned and evaluated on the effects of road salting on roadside flora, fauna, vehicles and bridges. comprehensive study of the effects of road salting on roadside flora was carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory in 1982. The subsequent report was "An Assessment of The Conditions For Shrubs Alongside Motorways" by Colwill, Thompson and Rutter, Laboratory Report 1061. A study was also commissioned in April 1989 into the performance of concrete in bridges. Known as the "Maunsell Report", its findings have been included within the 15 year bridge rehabilitation programme. There has not been any separate assessments on evaluating the effects of road salting on roadside fauna or on vehicles.

  • 1979–80: 6,686,000
  • 1989–90: 5,386,000
  • 1991–92: 7,380,000
  • 1993–94: 8,275,000
  • 1994–95: 8,039,000
  • 1995–96: 7,472,000
  • 1996–97: n/a

A forecast for 1996–97 is not yet available. All figures include vat.

The figures cover all publicity expenditure, including television, radio, press advertising and other promotional material. It is not possible to break these figures down between advertising and press and public relations.

Information on non-departmental public bodies and agencies is not held centrally, or otherwise readily available. Available data is given in the table.

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