HC Deb 13 June 2003 vol 406 cc180-2W
Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide rest areas on motorways. [115921]

Mr. Jamieson

My officials are working up proposals to take forward a pilot scheme under which we will provide a purpose-built rest area directly accessed from the motorway network. If successful, such rest areas will be in addition to rest facilities provided by existing motorway service areas, which are available at approximately 30-mile intervals on most of the motorway network in England.

Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic accidents occurred in the last three years for which figures are available because of(a) motorists and (b) cyclists ignoring red traffic lights. [115922]

Mr. Jamieson

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic accidents were caused by litter on the roads in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [115923]

Mr. Jamieson

This information is not held centrally.

Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motorists were(a) killed and (b) seriously injured in sleep-related road traffic accidents in each of the last five years. [116022]

Mr. Jamieson

The information requested is not available. Research has established that tiredness is a principle factor in around 10 per cent. of car driver accidents and about 15–20 per cent. of all accidents on motorways and other similar roads

Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to prevent road traffic accidents caused by motorists and cyclists ignoring red traffic light signals. [116027]

Mr. Jamieson

Red light enforcement cameras have proved to be highly effective at reducing redlight jumping by motorists and accident casualties have fallen as a result. More are now being deployed within the Safety Camera Netting-off Scheme that allows some fine revenue from fixed penalties to be re-invested in camera activity.

The minority of cyclists who irresponsibly ignore red traffic light signals, putting themselves and other road users at risk are liable to prosecution and the offences of careless and dangerous cycling currently carry maximum fines of £1,000 and £2,500 respectively. Enforcement of the law is of course a matter for the police.

Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much rubbish was removed from motorways in England in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [116235]

Mr. Jamieson

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to reply to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. Tom Watson dated 3 June 2003: The Transport Minister, David Jamieson, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the amount of rubbish removed from the motorway network. The information you asked for is not available. Our Managing Agent Contractors clear litter from the motorway network as part of their routine maintenance work but they are not required to record how much they collect. It would not be practical to record the information because collection methods differ widely. Some Contractors pick by hand, others use machines.