§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the roles and duties that the Traffic Management Bill will accord to traffic managers and local traffic authorities to(a) respond to and (b) prevent traffic gridlock. [148371]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Traffic Management Bill will require local authorities to appoint a Traffic Manager responsible for keeping traffic moving in their area. Neighbouring authorities will also have to work together to ensure traffic flows across the network as a whole
Local authorities will need not only to manage existing problems but also to plan ahead, taking account of events they know about and making contingency arrangements for unforeseen incidents. They will have to do this in a way that does not compromise their other responsibilities such as for improving road safety.
The Bill will give authorities a number of additional powers to meet their new responsibilities. For example, they will be helped to deal with congestion caused by 362W poorly planned and lengthy street works by greater control over when and where utility companies carry out street works. These powers will include the ability to specify what day of the week works can be carried out and at what times. They will be able to prevent certain roads from being dug up repeatedly by banning works on that road until a specified date. Any utility company wanting to carry out street works could be required to apply for a permit to do so. Utility companies failing to repair a road properly will face fines of up to £5,000.
Local authorities will also be given the ability to ensure that a number of moving traffic contraventions are enforced. This will include, for example, box junction and no right turn rules. These powers already exist in London. The Bill will extend them to cover the rest of England and Wales.
§ Lembit ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what impact the Traffic Management Bill will have on motorcyclists; and if he will make a statement. [150142]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Traffic Management Bill will give national and local highway authorities a number of additional powers and responsibilities to tackle congestion for the benefit of all road users. Authorities will be better able to manage their roads and the traffic using them. Motorcyclists, like other road users, will benefit from the reduced congestion and disruption. In particular, on local roads where much motorcycling takes place, local authorities will have a new network management duty aimed at keeping traffic moving in their area. Neighbouring authorities will also have to work together to ensure traffic flows effectively across the network as a whole. Again, motorcyclists will benefit from the better operation of the road network, along with other road users.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is meant by serious traffic disruption in Part 4 of the Traffic Management Bill. [150201]
§ Mr. JamiesonSection 56 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 allows a street authority to direct an undertaker as to the times at which street works can be carried out, where they might otherwise cause serious disruption to traffic. Clause 42 of the Traffic Management Bill makes clear that this power includes the ability to direct not only the times but also the days on which works may or may not be carried out.
Whether or not there is likely to be serious disruption to traffic in the case of a particular proposed works must be determined by a street authority on the facts of the case. Guidance on the use of the current power is set out in the Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Works for Road Purposes and Related Matters, and we intend revising this guidance as part of producing regulations under the Bill. Ultimately, however, the interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of the streetwork provisions in the Traffic Management Bill on urban regeneration. [150202]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe aim of the street works provisions in the Traffic Management Bill are twofold. Firstly to reduce the disruption that these works cause to road 363W users, businesses and local residents and secondly to ensure that works are carried out to a high standard and to minimise the negative impact they can have on the environment and the appearance of streets. While each of these is an issue for both urban and rural areas, we believe that minimising the negative effect of these works is particularly important in helping to regenerate our cities.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of the Traffic Management Bill on utilities infrastructure investment programmes, with particular reference to(a) water and gas mains replacement and (b) electricity cable renewal and upgrading. [150203]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe detail of those parts of the Traffic Management Bill which relate directly to utility works will be set out in regulations. We will be consulting extensively with utilities and utility regulators as part of drawing up these regulations, so that the revised legislative regime takes proper account of their investment programmes and does not put any unnecessary obstacles in the way of their carrying out these necessary works.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government have to consult Ofgem on the additional costs envisaged from the introduction of permit schemes, as set out in the Traffic Management Bill. [150204]
§ Mr. JamiesonOfgem, together with Ofwat and Ofcom, are represented on the legislative working group set up by my Department which considered what provision should be included in the Bill, and which will continue to meet to consider the details of the secondary legislation which will underpin it. This will include
Spot checks carried out by the Vehicle Inspectorate (VOSA) between 1999–-2000 and 2002–03 in Enforcement Area 15 (Metropolitan Area) Number of vehicles checked Vehicle category 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 HGV motor vehicles1 1,580 1,769 1,435 3,011 HGV trailers 284 337 170 358 HGV emissions 409 413 356 345 PSV vehicles1 480 898 851 547 PSV emissions 293 246 332 252 364W
Percentage Prohibition rate2 Immediate prohibitions3 Delayed prohibitions4 Vehicle category 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 HGV motor vehicles1 11.4 10.6 17.2 13.4 12.5 12.0 20.6 14.4 HGV trailers 10.6 8.0 7.6 11.2 12.3 11.6 12.9 16.8 HGV emissions 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.7 0.6 1.2 PSV vehicles1 4.6 5.1 5.3 7.1 2.3 4.8 7.3 6.4 PSV emissions 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.8 1 Excludes emissions only checks, but includes foreign vehicles. 2 Only one prohibition notice is issued per vehicle although it may contain a list of defects/offences where more than one has been found. The most serious defect/offence determines whether an immediate or delayed prohibition is issued. 3 Immediate prohibition rate relates to all vehicles (including foreign vehicles). 4 Delayed prohibition rate excludes checks on foreign vehicles. The Foreign Vehicles Act does not provide for the issue of delayed prohibitions to foreign vehicles. looking at proposals for permit schemes and consideration of the possible costs involved. We shall continue to involve Ofgem and the other regulators closely as the proposals for regulations are developed.