Schedule 3 - Schedule 4B to the New Roads and
Traffic Management Bill
3:15 pm
Mr Tony McNulty (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Transport; Harrow East, Labour)
I am grateful to all hon. Members for their contributions. They raise fair points that, ironically or otherwise, reinforce what I was saying earlier about there needing to be a hierarchy between the less serious—if I can put it in those terms—offences and the more serious offences. We must bear it in mind that we are talking about six offences under new schedule 4A to the 1991 Act that are all about active works that are taking place at the time. Let me remind the Committee that we are talking about advance notice of certain works; notice of starting
dates, emergency works and completion of reinstatement; the
''charge for occupation of the highway where works unreasonably delayed'';
and the
''charge determined by reference to duration of works''.
We are talking about those six offences to begin with, and no more.
On the point about adjudication and the subsequent appeal, in the first instance, I would request that the working party look at that matter. Those directly involved at both ends—in implementing the process and in other respects—will make recommendations to us, which will be reflected in regulations. The details of the regime, appeals, fine rates and methods of payment will all be reflected in the regulations, through the working party.