HL Deb 22 July 2002 vol 638 cc16-7WA
The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they conducted any research or consultation as to the impact of their "lane rental" policy on the installation cost and take up of broadband; and whether they believe that the policy, if applied nationally, could have the inadvertent effect of working against competition in the telecommunications sector. [HL4428]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

Between August and October 2001 the Department of Transport consulted on proposals to test the impact of lane rental on a limited scale and the cost and benefits of those proposals. In the light of the response received, it was decided that pilot schemes in Camden and Middlesbrough should begin to allow a thorough assessment to be made of the benefits and disadvantages of extending lane rental throughout England.

Consultants have been appointed to monitor the results of the pilots both in terms of the effectiveness of lane rental in reducing the disruption caused by utility works and the costs it imposes on utilities. The first monitoring report on the pilots, which began on 4 March 2002 and are due to continue until March 2004, is due to be delivered later this year.