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Dept for Transport;Highways Agency

Answer

Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what costs the Highways Agency has borne in dealing with illegal occupations of its land at Foston, Derbyshire in the last 12 months. [134709] Mr. Jamieson: I have asked the Acting Chief Executive of the Highway's Agency, Mr. Stephen Hickey, to write to my hon. Friend. Letter from Stephen Hickey to Mr. Mark Todd, dated 3 November 2003: The Transport Minister, David Jamieson, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what costs have been incurred in dealing with illegal occupation of land at Foston, Derbyshire, in the last 12 months. The total cost is not yet known as the Agency have not yet had the site cleared and have not received all invoices for the legal costs. To date they have incurred Solicitors fees of £3559. This figure will rise as they had to apply to Derbyshire County Court for a Writ of Restitution to enforce the earlier eviction notice. The total cost of securing the site with concrete blocks is £1,800, the blocks will remain following the site clearance until the land is tenanted. We are working closely with the Environment Agency to ensure that the land is thoroughly cleared of any debris. It is estimated that the clearance of the land will cost approx £24,000.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

134709; 412 c391W;412 c399W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Costs Land Legal costs Evictions Highways Agency Trespass Travellers Derbyshire

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk