Currently Highways England has a programme to replace the joints between the concrete slabs between junctions 9 and 11. This work is being done to ensure the road surface is maintained in good condition, but it should also help to reduce noise from the road surface.

Highways England is also carrying out trials to test materials and techniques which could help to reduce road noise from concrete surfacing on the M25 network. This trial is being carried out on the M1 motorway southbound between junctions 5 and 6.

This trial is due to finish in 2022 and the findings will be used to develop our long-term strategy for managing concrete road surfaces in the south east. The trial does include a period of accelerated testing on other parts of the strategic road network before 2022, and Highways England will keep this under review.

Highways England will monitor the condition and safety of the strategic network regularly and the surface of the M25 between junctions 10 and 11 is inspected weekly. Any safety critical defects will be repaired within 24 hours with a permanent repair completed within 28 days.

Highways England’s contract with Connect Plus M25 Ltd allows payment deductions to be made based on the measured condition of the road surface and the rectification of certain types of defects. During the four-year period to June 2018, payment deductions relating to the condition of the network and rectification of defects have been fully applied in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Neither Highways England, nor the Department, hold the detailed statistics requested. However, the Department recently launched a consultation on proposals to ban 10 year old tyres on certain vehicles, such as HGVs. I encourage all interested parties to provide feedback on the consultation.

The Department for Transport remains committed to improving safety on the Strategic Road Network and note that England’s roads are amongst the safest in Europe.

The plans for Operation Brock have been designed to keep traffic flowing in both directions on the M20 in the event of disruption to freight and other transport across the Channel. It would also thereby alleviate traffic congestion across the neighbouring strategic and local road network. The deployment of the M26 to queue Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) temporarily will only be done in the unlikely event that capacity has been exceeded elsewhere under Brock contingency planning. The routes that HGVs will be directed to travel under Brock will be clearly signposted, and have been designed to minimise disruption on other roads, such as the M25, as much as possible.