Clause 49 - Works following substantial road works
Traffic Management Bill
4:45 pm
Mr Tony McNulty (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Transport; Harrow East, Labour)
All this clause does is modify section 58 of the 1991 Act—the principal Act. We are not suggesting that a year is too long or too short: we are simply saying that in the interests of having as much flexibility as possible, we require the power to set a maximum period in regulation, and that regulations prescribe how disputes between authorities and undertakers over restrictions on work should be settled, which section 58 does not do. In both regards, the clause enhances and consolidates the 1991 Act. Yes, these are important matters, but they can and should be dealt with by regulation to reflect the flexibility and responsiveness between the local authority and the utilities that is greater than the rather rigid ''one year and that's your lot'' of the 1991 Act. In that regard, the clause is eminently reasonable.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 49 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clause 50 ordered to stand part of the Bill.