Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Malvern Hills Trust, also known as the Malvern Hills Conservators, is considered to be a public body and, if so, for what purposes.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Malvern Hills Trust, also known as the Malvern Hills Conservators, is not considered to be a public body.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State granted one or more Special Orders under section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 which permitted the movement of long trams from the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in Dudley to the Metro Maintenance Centre in Wednesbury on 15 February; and if so, whether the haulier who moved a tram on that date gave five clear working days’ notice to all the relevant authorities in accordance with the relevant Special Order.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

National Highways did issue a special order for the movement of ten trams from Dudley to Wednesbury.

Whilst the Department cannot respond on behalf of the other relevant authorities, the haulier did give five clear working days’ notice to National Highways for the movement on 15th February.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have received the report by the Earl Attlee, Harassment of the Heavy Haulage Industry by West Midlands Police, dated 10 May; and if so, whether they found it to be inaccurate, unfair or technically incorrect.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

I can confirm that the Department for Transport has received a copy of the noble Lord’s report. In common with other road traffic laws, policing of abnormal loads is an operational matter for the police. Any complaints about West Midlands Police’s handling of abnormal loads movements should be taken up with the Chief Constable.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how their proposed Great British Railways organisation will differ from the Strategic Rail Authority that was abolished in 2006.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) did not integrate track and train, nor was it intended to.

Great British Railways will integrate track and train at a route and operating company level, thus reducing costs, increasing revenue and improving performance, thus serving passengers, freight and the taxpayer.