§ Mr. MackayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times(a) steel barrier systems and (b) concrete barrier systems on trunk roads and motorways were breached in the latest year for which he has figures. [142757]
§ Dr. HowellsInformation on the number of times(a) steel barrier systems and (b) concrete barrier systems on trunk road and motorways in England have been breached is not available.
The standard recording procedure for injury accidents does not record detail of the type of barrier hit. No data is available for non-injury accidents.
431WThe Highways Agency is not aware of any breaches of concrete barrier on trunk roads or motorways in England. However, this may be influenced by the relatively small proportion of this type of barrier on the network.
§ Mr. MackayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account is taken of whole-life maintenance costs in the procurement process for barrier systems used on motorways and trunk roads. [142758]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Highways Agency requires its Agents to take account of whole-life costs as part of the scheme and programme development process for motorway and trunk roads in England. However, the procurement process for barrier systems on motorways and trunk roads in England does not currently take explicit account of whole-life maintenance costs.
The Highways Agency is looking to address this through a current research project considering the performance characteristics of different barrier types, as well as the whole life construction, maintenance, repair and replacement costs, including traffic delay costs and safety risks to operatives carrying out the work. This research is expected to be completed in early 2004 and will help in the understanding of the key factors to be taken into account in the procurement process.
§ Mr. MackayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account is taken of(a) congestion costs and (b) the potential danger to the workforce during repairs to barrier systems when bids for barrier contracts are at tender stage. [142759]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Highways Agency's tender assessment process for barrier systems does not currently take formal account of congestion costs or the potential danger to the workforce during repairs to barrier systems when evaluating bids for barrier contracts at tender stage.
The Highways Agency is looking to address this through a current research project considering the performance characteristics of different barrier types, as well as the whole life construction, maintenance, repair and replacement costs, including traffic delay costs and safety risks to operatives carrying out the work. This research is expected to be completed in early 2004 and will help in the understanding of the key factors to be taken into account in the bid evaluation process.
§ Mr. MackayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to review the type of barrier systems in use on(a) motorways and (b) trunk roads in England and Wales.[142761]
§ Dr. HowellsSince the 1960s, the former Department of Transport, and more recently the Highways Agency, have spent significant amounts developing barrier
432W
Numbers of fatally injured car drivers and passengers 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Total December Northern 1 1 0 3 0 0 5 Yorks/Humberside 4 2 7 5 2 0 20 East Midlands 2 0 2 2 0 2 8 Eastern 2 0 2 3 3 3 13 South East 0 4 1 0 4 13 Greater London 0 2 0 1 1 1 5 systems for use on the UK motorway and trunk road network. Products include tensioned and untensioned steel barrier, wire rope barrier and concrete barrier. Over the years, these systems have been placed on the network in varying amounts. There are now sufficient lengths of these different barrier types on the network to obtain data on their respective in-service performance levels. This data is currently being collected and used to support research into the whole-life cost and safety-effectiveness of different types of barrier on motorways and trunk roads.
The research is considering the performance characteristics of different barrier types, as well as the whole life construction, maintenance, repair and replacement costs, including traffic delay costs and safety risks to operatives carrying out the work. This research is expected to be completed in early 2004 and will help in the understanding of the optimum systems for use in different situations on the motorway and trunk road network.
§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been undertaken on the use of barriers to prevent lorries leaving the road in the event of an accident such as that which occurred recently on the A3 through Guildford.[143012]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Highways Agency has undertaken detailed research into the use of barriers and accidents involving single vehicles leaving the nearside of English roads. This has demonstrated that there are no significant shortcomings in the current standard for safety barriers and that the barrier provision strikes the right balance between the risks or errant vehicles leaving the road and the risks of impact with safety barriers themselves.
Complementary research is currently being undertaken to examine the performance standard requirements for central reserve barriers. It is expected that the results from this research will give a better understanding of the factors and criteria influencing the choice of safety barrier.