Written question asked by Christopher Chope (Conservative) on Friday, 18 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 February 2005. It was answered by Charlotte Atkins (Labour) on Monday, 21 February 2005 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what research he has evaluated on the effects of utility street works on traffic congestion levels; and if he will revise the Government's published estimate of the contribution of utility company street works to congestion in the light of that research.

Answer: Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has evaluated on the effects of utility street works on traffic congestion levels; and if he will revise the Government's published estimate of the contribution of utility company street works to congestion in the light of that research. [217405] Charlotte Atkins: Last year the Department received a report from its consultants, Halcrow, which estimated the annual cost of congestion due to utility street works as over £4 billion. Earlier this month the Department received another report, commissioned by the National Joint Utilities Group, which looks at the disruption due to utility works. Both reports point to the need to improve the ways in which these works are managed so as to reduce the disruption they cause. We are currently consulting on a several such measures, including permits schemes, fixed penalty notices for certain offences, more advanced notice about proposed works and restrictions on further works where roads have been recently dug up.

Secondary information