HC Deb 25 February 2002 vol 380 cc803-4W
Mr. Grogan

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Government plans to implement the(a) primary and (b) secondary recommendations in the Health and Safety Executive's Work-Related Road Safety Task Group report entitled "Reducing at-Work Road Traffic Incidents (2001)". [36557]

Mr. Jamieson

The Health and Safety Commission have been asked to consider the recommendations of the task group, and to report to Ministers in May 2002. We will need to consider that advice carefully before any decisions on implementation can be taken.

Mr. Grogan

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much his Department intends to spend in 2002–03 on(a) road safety publicity and (b) the forthcoming radio and television campaign on driver tiredness; and if he is planning to run the campaign at peak listening and viewing times. [36558]

Mr. Jamieson

For the fiscal year 2002–03 £13.4 million has been allocated for the year round Think! road safety publicity campaign.

The driver tiredness element of the Think! campaign which comprises television and radio advertising will be broadcast from March 27 to 7 April at appropriate times for the specific audience and message. This will cost approximately £720,000. The message will, however continue at suitable times throughout the year as part of the wider campaign. Over the year, the advertising will be supported by proactive public relations activities and publicity materials for use locally.

Mr. Pickles

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will introduce similar obligations to those in Scotland on local highway authorities to take reasonable steps to prevent ice or snow making roads unsafe in winter. [37281]

Mr. Spellar

We are continuing to consider the legal position on the winter service provided by local highway authorities in England. In the meantime we expect them to implement winter service provisions on their roads in accordance with the code of practice for maintenance management "Delivering Best Practice in Highway Maintenance" which was published on 10 July 2001.