HC Deb 02 February 2000 vol 343 cc609-10W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding provision he has made to local authorities for the urgent replacement of lighting columns which are in a critical condition within the United Kingdom in the last twelve months. [107370]

Mr. Hill

Some central Government funding is available to local authorities for new street lighting schemes under the Private Finance Initiative. Where local authorities apply for this funding, proposals should be appraised in line with the Department's "New Approach to Appraisal" to ensure that the benefits and costs (including environmental and safety benefits) are presented in a consistent way.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance his Department has provided on how to assess the condition of concrete lighting columns. [107371]

Mr. Hill

Highways Agency Standard TD23, Inspection and Maintenance of Lighting Columns, details procedures for all types of lighting columns, including concrete. It is used as part of routine maintenance procedures on motorways and trunk roads. The Standard is included in "The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges" and is available for use by local authorities on local roads.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which local authorities have undertaken programmes to test systematically the integrity of lighting columns since 1997. [107372]

Mr. Hill

This information is not available centrally.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the condition of the street lighting network within the United Kingdom. [107369]

Mr. Hill

There is no comprehensive central data collected on the condition of the street lighting network. Routine inspections conducted on motorway and trunk road lighting provide a continuous assessment of the condition of the lighting equipment on those roads. Local highway authorities are responsible for the condition of street lighting on local roads.