Street Works

Oral Answers to Questions — Transport – in the House of Commons at 10:30 am on 25 June 2009.

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Photo of Nicholas Winterton Nicholas Winterton Conservative, Macclesfield 10:30, 25 June 2009

What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of permit schemes for street works; and if he will make a statement.

Photo of Sadiq Khan Sadiq Khan Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The permit scheme regulations were made on 28 November 2007, and came into force on 1 April 2008. No permit schemes to control works on the highway are currently in place. We have undertaken to report to Parliament on the evaluation of the first implemented permit schemes, following their first year of operation. We hope to make a decision on an application from Kent county council for permit scheme powers within the next month.

Photo of Nicholas Winterton Nicholas Winterton Conservative, Macclesfield

The street works permit schemes were designed, as the Minister knows, to make utilities companies carry out work at the same time, in order to reduce congestion for the motorist, inconvenience to the pedestrian and loss of earnings for retail outlets. Since the scheme came into force on 1 April 2008, as he said, how many permits have been granted, and have they been successful?

Photo of Sadiq Khan Sadiq Khan Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The hon. Gentleman may not have heard my answer: none have been granted. Local authorities recognise the additional powers that they have and we hope to make a decision on Kent next month— [ Interruption. ] I hear some chuntering from Mrs. Villiers on the Front Bench. If she wishes to speak to me afterwards, I can give her a response that is not a chunter.