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Written question asked by Lord Bradshaw (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 3 October 2016, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 October 2016. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Thursday, 13 October 2016 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Road Works

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the impact of highway works and their management by utilities and local authorities on traffic congestion and delays to road traffic, they have any plans to review the operation of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 or the Traffic Management Act 2004.

Answer

The Government wants to deliver better journeys for drivers. Roadworks are essential, but that doesn’t mean they should be in place any longer than is absolutely necessary. We continue to keep the implementation and operation of the relevant legislation and statutory guidance under constant review, and are taking opportunities to streamline, simplify and de-regulate what has become a complex legislative framework where possible.

In addition, we are modernising and updating secondary legislation and statutory guidance where this is necessary and where it will lead to improvements in the way that road and street works are managed. Recent examples include consultations earlier this year on updated statutory guidance relating to inspections and modernised regulations relating to the qualifications regime. In 2015, we updated regulations and guidance on permit schemes that are now in place in over 55% of local authority areas and which are resulting in more effective management of street works and reductions in the duration of works.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2004
Session
2016-17
Subjects
Road traffic Road works
Legislation
Traffic Management Act 2004
New Roads and Street Works Act 1991
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk