§ Mr. McWalterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what directions he has issued to local authority engineers to require them to be more conversant with the needs and safety requirements of powered two-wheel vehicles and pedal cycles when planning road layouts. [42324]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no power to issue such directions to local authority officials. A range of technical guidance exists on providing for the needs of two-wheeled vehicle users. This includes "Transport in the Urban Environment" published by the Institution of Highways and Transportation in collaboration with my Department, Design Bulletin 32 on the layout considerations of roads and footpaths, produced by my Department, and "Cycle-friendly Infrastructure" produced jointly by the Institution of Highways and Transportation, the Bicycle Association, the CTC and the Department. In addition, there is an extensive range of advice on providing for cyclists within our Traffic Advisory Leaflets and other material. This is listed in our cycling bibliography that is sent free to all local authorities.