Monday 21 June 2010
Speed Limits: Cameras
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed cameras there are in Dartford constituency; where each is located; and how many drivers have been prosecuted as a result of evidence obtained from each such camera over the last five years. [3121]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport holds only information about speed cameras operating under the National Safety Camera Programme, which started in 2001 and ended on 31 March 2007. Separate information about cameras operating in Dartford is not held. The number of camera sites operating in Kent at the end of the National Safety Camera Programme was 129. Since then, the deployment of safety cameras has been the responsibility of individual local partnerships. The number of cameras currently in place and their location will therefore be a matter for Kent county council and the local road safety partnership.
The number of drivers prosecuted as a result of enforcement by each speed camera in Kent is not held by the Department. However, details of fixed penalty notices issued and subsequently paid in Kent over the past five years are outlined in the following table which also includes penalties issued for red light offences:
| Speed and red light fixed penalty notices paid in Kent over the last five years | |
| Number | |
| 2002-03 | 30,994 |
| 2003-04 | 54,929 |
| 2004-05 | 60,959 |
| 2005-06 | 50,285 |
| 2006-07 | 61,206 |
Travel
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he plans to take to support the promotion of (a) cycling, (b) walking and (c) other non-car travel initiatives. [2899]
Norman Baker: The coalition agreement says that we will support sustainable travel initiatives, including the promotion of cycling and walking. In addition, we will explore the opportunities provided by alternatives to travel. Our approach will be considered in more detail as part of the spending review later this year.
Cyclists: Deaths
Question asked by Lord Bradshaw
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 8 June (WA 33), how many lorry drivers involved in incidents in which a cyclist was killed were prosecuted in the latest year for which figures are available; and with what results.[HL363]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): Unless the offence is separately specified in law, the Ministry of Justice does not centrally hold information that identifies the circumstances of an offence. Therefore, from prosecutions for motoring offences involving a death of a person, it is not possible to separately identify those cases where the defendant was a lorry driver or where the victim was a cyclist.
Tuesday 22 June 2010
Motorways: Speed Limits
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what length of motorways was subject to 50 mph speed reductions and average speed camera monitoring at the latest date for which information is available. [2524]
Mike Penning [holding answer 17 June 2010] : On 10 June 2010, the latest date for which information is available, there were 189 carriageway miles of motorway with roadworks that were subject to a 50 mile per hour speed limit and had average speed cameras.
The Highways Agency provides average speed cameras at temporary road works to assist the police with the capability to enforce reduced speed limits.
On motorways and trunk roads, the speed limit at roadworks is reduced to support both the safety of road users and the work force.
Roads: Accidents
Simon Reevell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many road accidents there were in the Kirklees local authority area in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [3411]
(2) how many road accident fatalities there were in the Kirklees local authority area in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [3412]
Mike Penning: The information requested is given in the following table:
Roads: Fatal Accidents
Question asked by Lord Condon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many fatal and serious road traffic accidents involved police vehicles in 2009.[HL371]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Neville-Jones): Figures available centrally show the numbers of casualties and degree of injury in road traffic collisions involving police vehicles in emergency/pursuit.
Figures for 2008-09 have been provided for 37 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales. They show that there were (a) 26 fatal injuries and (b) 83 serious injuries.
The data provided here are a supplementary series collected on behalf and released with the approval of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). These data are normally used for inspection purposes only.
Thursday 24 June 2010
Motorcycles: Driving Tests
Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the Driving Standards Agency cancelled the motorcycle trainer workshops due to be held in (a) Twickenham on 26 January 2010 and (b) Leeds on 29 January 2010. [3879]
Mike Penning: The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) planned these motorcycle trainer workshops with the expectation that at least 250 trainers would attend each event. By mid January fewer than 30 trainers had registered for each event. DSA therefore decided to cancel as to continue with the much smaller numbers would not have represented good value for money.
DSA is considering whether these events are the most effective way to engage and communicate with motorcycle trainers in the longer term. Given the current fiscal climate, there are no plans to reinstate these events during the current financial year.
Road Signs and Markings: Sponsorship
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the merits of allowing the private sponsorship of road signs; and if he will make a statement. [2308]
Norman Baker: The private sponsorship of roadside infrastructure is a matter for local highway authorities. However, it is not the lawful function of traffic signs to serve as advertisements and the Government have no plans to assess the merits of allowing advertising on traffic signs. The information displayed on traffic signs and the number of signs provided must be kept to a minimum to avoid unnecessary driver distraction.
Roads: Repairs and Maintenance
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to remove the link between the allocation of local authority highways funding and the requirement to observe national priorities. [3079]
Norman Baker: No such explicit link exists, though in general terms, the Coalition Government have made plain its intention to allow greater freedom to local authorities.
No specific decisions will be taken on future funding for local authority highways until after the spending review.
