§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what dates the Countryside Traffic Measures Group has met; what matters have been discussed; what conclusions have been reached; and if he will make a statement. [109382]
§ Mr. HillThe Countryside Traffic Measures Group has met formally on four occasions: 10 July 1997, 4 November 1997, 13 March 1998, and 3 November 1998, and at other times informally or to discuss individual schemes. The inaugural meeting agreed the main objective, which is to develop good practice guidance on rural traffic management designed with 235W sensitivity to the countryside environment. Meetings subsequently have discussed and agreed the schemes to be included in the monitoring project and, latterly, progress of the schemes. Monitoring of the schemes is due to be completed in March 2001. Until then it would be premature to draw conclusions on the measures installed. My Department will continue to help the Countryside Agency and local authorities develop these measures.