HC Deb 21 April 1998 vol 310 cc548-9W
Mr. Hammond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what discussions he has had with the power generation and transmission industries regarding possible capital contributions by those industries towards the cost of maintaining a strategic highway network to the 45HB standard; [39041]

(2) what representations he has received for heavy industry regarding the ending of the system of designated routes for abnormal loads; [39045]

(3) for what reasons the Highways Authority has ended the system of designated routes for abnormal loads; and what assessment he has made of the current arrangements; [39044]

(4) what is the division of responsibility between his Department, the Highways Agency and appointed contractors for maintaining a network of road routes suitable for abnormal loads;[39043]

(5) what discussions he has held with the power generation and transmission industries regarding the movement of abnormal loads on public roads. [39046]

Ms Glenda Jackson

[holding answer 20 April 1998]: My officials have had a number of meetings with representatives of the power generation and transmission industries, who have made representations on the subject of maintaining a network of road routes suitable for abnormal loads. These discussions have touched on a number of subjects, including current arrangements for meeting the cost of assessment and strengthening work. A further meeting is to take place on 24 April.

My Department is responsible for the policy on the carriage of abnormal loads on roads. The Highways Agency puts this into effect on the motorway and trunk road network in England, and local highway authorities do so on those parts of abnormal load routes lying on local roads. The highway authorities appoint contractors to carry out works on their behalf.

Discussions to date have established that the former designated routes need to be revised because the location of relevant manufacturers, power generation and transmission sites etc. have changed. Also, in some instances, assessments of structures on the network have shown they are no longer capable of carrying the intended loads. The discussions with the industry are intended to identify what arrangements might be appropriate for their current and foreseen needs.