Mr David Jamieson: The Highways Agency gave a full assessment of the need for improvements to the A3 at Hindhead to the recent public inquiry into the published proposals for the scheme. The Inspector's Report is expected later this year.
Mr David Jamieson: No economic assessment of the effects of Operation Stack between 17 March 2004 and 17 March 2005 on either the road haulage industry or the Kent economy has been undertaken by the Department or the Highways Agency. The Department and the Highways Agency have received a number of representations from local residents, the Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport Association and hon....
Mr David Jamieson: The Al Dishforth to Barton Improvement is scheduled to start construction in April 2008, subject to the completion of statutory procedures and the availability of funds. Construction works are programmed for a period of three years.
Mr David Jamieson: The scheme is included within the Targeted Programme of Improvements with an approved budget of £325 million.
Mr David Jamieson: Studies have been carried out into the effect of the presence of roadside advertisements and other potential distractions to road accidents. It is, however, difficult to derive a direct causal relationship because accidents are often the result of several factors. Studies have also monitored the duration of drivers' eye movements from the road to roadside distractions, including signs, which...
Mr David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply. We recognise that the current funding arrangements set out in the 1985 Agreement are increasingly inappropriate for today's political and commercial context. Following discussions at official level between the two Governments, the Irish Government's Department of Communication, Marine and Natural Resources have now stated that they have no objection in principle to...
Mr David Jamieson: The General Lighthouse Authorities do not have any contracts to undertake maintenance work in the UK or Ireland for the Department for Transport. Trinity House Lighthouse Service does, however, carry out residual statutory responsibilities for the Colonial Lighthouse Service on behalf of the Department.
Mr David Jamieson: The Government is considering the response to the consultation and will respond in due course.
Mr David Jamieson: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's expenditure is set out in the following table: Percentage Coastguard Ship inspectors Accommodation Emergency towing vessels Resource accounts 2003–04 13 6 6 10 2002–03 13 5 6 11 2001–02 13 5 6 7 Cash accounts 2000–01 14 5 8 8 1999–2000 15 6 8 7 1998–99 13 7 7 5 The resource accounts...
Mr David Jamieson: The Highways Agency is reviewing what improvements may be possible in the short and long term to reduce delays and disruption for travellers. These options include the modified use of Operation Stack, with and without contraflow working on the M20 London bound carriageway, and a possible lorry park for use as a holding area for HGVs waiting to travel to the continent.
Mr David Jamieson: During 2004 Kent police activated Operation Stack on six occasions. Between 27 January and 29 March 2005 it has been necessary to implement Operation Stack on 17 occasions because of the difficulties with the docking facilities in Calais and the effects of industrial action in France. Kent police do not hold detailed records that show how many vehicles have actually been affected by the...
Mr David Jamieson: I am pleased to announce the ministerial targets for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for 2005–06. The Ministerial Targets are: 1. In at least 96 per cent. of incidents, within five minutes of being alerted, take a decision on the appropriate search and rescue response and initiate action if necessary; Deliver at least 97 per cent. of planned ship inspections; Carry out 95 per cent. of...
Mr David Jamieson: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency provides police automated number plate recognition cameras with details of vehicles which have been unlicensed for two months or more. From April this information will be provided twice monthly. Details of licensed vehicles are not provided. As a separate exercise, the DVLA vehicle database is downloaded onto the Police National Computer every 24 hours....
Mr David Jamieson: The contribution from the General Lighthouse Fund to the provision of navigational aids in the Republic of Ireland since 2000 is given as follows: £ million sterling 2000–01 4.4 2001–02 5.5 2002–03 5.8 2003–04 5.9
Mr David Jamieson: The independent Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for classifying economic entities in accordance with the European System of Accounts. The General Lighthouse Fund is classified by ONS as a public corporation.
Mr David Jamieson: The joint World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Bank World report on road traffic injury prevention" focused attention on the global impact of road accidents on low and middle income countries. The Department for Transport also welcomes the UN resolution on improving road safety. The resolution noted the recommendations of the World Report and invited the WHO to act as co-ordinator on...
Mr David Jamieson: The Highways Agency Business Plan 2005–06 was published on 24 March 2005 and the Business Plan for 2004–05 was published on 30 March 2004.
Mr David Jamieson: The Highways Agency's Business Plan 2005–06 sets out the forward programme of major schemes to be progressed in the period 2005–06 to 2007–08. Schemes expected to be taken forward after 2007–08, including the proposed improvement to the A358 between Ilminster and the M5, are not included in the Plan.
Mr David Jamieson: All the schemes set out in the Highways Agency Business Plan 2005–06 as awaiting inclusion in the Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI), with the exception of M11 J8–9 Widening, were added to the TPI on 24 March 2005. In respect of the M11 J8–9 scheme, the Highways Agency has been asked to undertake further work so that it can be considered for entry to the TPI as soon as possible.
Mr David Jamieson: The Department has not made any assessment of the suitability of Milford Haven for liquid natural gas shipments. Comprehensive risk assessments have, however, been undertaken by the statutory undertaker, the Milford Haven Port Authority.