Asked by: Lord Jopling (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government for how many weeks there have been traffic restrictions on the A1 between Wansford and Peterborough; for how many more weeks they expect those restrictions to be in place; and what are the reasons for those restrictions.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
National Highways (NH) has had traffic restrictions on the A1 at Water Newton to Stibbington in place from 1 November 2024 as a large agricultural vehicle caused substantial damage to the bridge. This has required nearside lane closures that will be in place until 12 September 2025.
NH has 16 planned overnight closures during the period 17 July 2025 until 4 October 2025 to carry out various temporary maintenance and technology works to maintain the network. NH plan to carry out the work overnight to limit disruption to drivers during the day.
NH has an Interim remedial scheme where it will undertake interventions to widen the A1 to allow for 2 lanes running. This will begin in September 2025 and finish in October 2025. This will require a combination of initial nighttime closures followed by a series of 6 weekend closures.
Asked by: Lord Jopling (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the current work on the A1's Wentbridge Viaduct started, and when they expect traffic flows to return to normal.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The original estimate for the Wentbridge Viaduct was £5,403,583, however, at present the expected cost for the works is £16,079,669. The change in costs is due to significant change of scope as additional essential repairs were identified, including but not limited to reconstruction of both deck ends, extensive renewal of drainage throughout the structure, replacement of the Vehicle Restraint System foundation plinths, repairs to the underslung hanger walkway, repairs to deck haunches and concrete repairs to the abutments, all of which were not known nor could have been identified until the existing bridge deck was exposed.
National Highways began the enabling works and upgrading Jacksons Lane on 24 February 2023 but the main works on the carriageway commenced on 11 April 2023 with an expected completion date of September 2023. The current expected completion at Wentbridge Viaduct is Spring 2025. This is in part due to the decision to bring forward the Wentedge road bridge works originally planned to be undertaken in 2026 so that they can be completed at the same time due to the proximity of the two structures, and this will minimise long term disruption while ensuring that both works are completed efficiently. Works to both structures is now expected to be completed by August 2025.
Asked by: Lord Jopling (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what was the original estimate for the cost of the current repair works to the Wentbridge Viaduct on the A1; and what they expect the final cost to be.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The original estimate for the Wentbridge Viaduct was £5,403,583, however, at present the expected cost for the works is £16,079,669. The change in costs is due to significant change of scope as additional essential repairs were identified, including but not limited to reconstruction of both deck ends, extensive renewal of drainage throughout the structure, replacement of the Vehicle Restraint System foundation plinths, repairs to the underslung hanger walkway, repairs to deck haunches and concrete repairs to the abutments, all of which were not known nor could have been identified until the existing bridge deck was exposed.
National Highways began the enabling works and upgrading Jacksons Lane on 24 February 2023 but the main works on the carriageway commenced on 11 April 2023 with an expected completion date of September 2023. The current expected completion at Wentbridge Viaduct is Spring 2025. This is in part due to the decision to bring forward the Wentedge road bridge works originally planned to be undertaken in 2026 so that they can be completed at the same time due to the proximity of the two structures, and this will minimise long term disruption while ensuring that both works are completed efficiently. Works to both structures is now expected to be completed by August 2025.
Asked by: Lord Jopling (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the users of electric scooters on UK roads are covered by insurance, as is required for other motorised vehicle users.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
It is illegal to use a powered transporter, such as an electric scooter, on a public road without it complying with specific legal requirements. In the UK, electric scooters are treated like any other motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act. This means they are subject to laws requiring them to conform to technical standards and be used safely. This includes requirements for users to have insurance, driving licences, number plates, and helmets. At present, it is difficult for electric scooters to meet these requirements.
For scooters that do meet these requirements, users of them must comply with speed limits.
It is also illegal to use an electric scooter in spaces which are set aside for use by pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders. This includes on the pavement and in cycle lanes.
The Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy, published on 19 March 2019, includes a regulatory review to address the challenges of ensuring our transport infrastructure and regulation are fit for the future. The Department will use the regulatory review to examine current legislation and determine from the evidence what is needed to make the necessary changes needed for a safe and healthy future.
Through the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge, we are exploring how new technologies, including electric scooters, could help the UK benefit from changes in how people, goods and services move around and possible barriers to securing those benefits.
Asked by: Lord Jopling (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the maximum speed of electric scooters on sale in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
It is illegal to use a powered transporter, such as an electric scooter, on a public road without it complying with specific legal requirements. In the UK, electric scooters are treated like any other motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act. This means they are subject to laws requiring them to conform to technical standards and be used safely. This includes requirements for users to have insurance, driving licences, number plates, and helmets. At present, it is difficult for electric scooters to meet these requirements.
For scooters that do meet these requirements, users of them must comply with speed limits.
It is also illegal to use an electric scooter in spaces which are set aside for use by pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders. This includes on the pavement and in cycle lanes.
The Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy, published on 19 March 2019, includes a regulatory review to address the challenges of ensuring our transport infrastructure and regulation are fit for the future. The Department will use the regulatory review to examine current legislation and determine from the evidence what is needed to make the necessary changes needed for a safe and healthy future.
Through the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge, we are exploring how new technologies, including electric scooters, could help the UK benefit from changes in how people, goods and services move around and possible barriers to securing those benefits.
Asked by: Lord Jopling (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the adequacy of legislation on the use of electric scooters on public highways.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
It is illegal to use a powered transporter, such as an electric scooter, on a public road without it complying with specific legal requirements. In the UK, electric scooters are treated like any other motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act. This means they are subject to laws requiring them to conform to technical standards and be used safely. This includes requirements for users to have insurance, driving licences, number plates, and helmets. At present, it is difficult for electric scooters to meet these requirements.
For scooters that do meet these requirements, users of them must comply with speed limits.
It is also illegal to use an electric scooter in spaces which are set aside for use by pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders. This includes on the pavement and in cycle lanes.
The Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy, published on 19 March 2019, includes a regulatory review to address the challenges of ensuring our transport infrastructure and regulation are fit for the future. The Department will use the regulatory review to examine current legislation and determine from the evidence what is needed to make the necessary changes needed for a safe and healthy future.
Through the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge, we are exploring how new technologies, including electric scooters, could help the UK benefit from changes in how people, goods and services move around and possible barriers to securing those benefits.
Asked by: Lord Jopling (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 14 February (HL5245), what steps they have taken to minimise the risk of a repeat escalation of costs by 83 per cent to £13.6 million for the improvements to the A1 road near Gamston Airfield; and what admonishments to individuals or decisions to terminate or decline future contracts with individuals or firms have been taken following the Inquiry which was conducted.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This scheme was procured through a one-off Design and Build contract and Highways England has taken the lessons learnt into all such future schemes to ensure that such difficulties are not replicated.
A pain-gain share mechanism was part of this contract, so the contractor suffered significant losses as a result. Highways England did not issue a ‘Consult Notice’ to the contractor following this scheme, meaning that they did not terminate any forthcoming contracts as a direct result of the contractor’s performance.
Asked by: Lord Jopling (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 19 September 2016 (HL1574), whether they will now publish in the Official Report the findings of the inquiry which was set up as a consequence of the escalation in costs for the A1 road improvement at Elkesley by 83 per cent to £13.6 million.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The outcome of Highways England’s review is set out below.
Highways England found that a number of unforeseen and additional areas of work were identified after award of the contract, which added to the programme, as well as the cost.
These include:
Highways England has taken steps to minimize the risk of a repeat of the escalation in costs seen on this scheme.
Asked by: Lord Jopling (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the expected journey times of passengers between London and Northallerton for (1) the existing train service, and (2) the proposed HS2 service using average proposed transfer times for changing trains.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Comparing fastest journey times, the existing train service between London and Northallerton is 2 hours 24 minutes, and under HS2 would be 1 hour 53 minutes assuming an average 10 minute interchange at York.
Asked by: Lord Jopling (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 27 September (HL1845), on a convenient date in the last month, what percentage of the M1 Motorway was subject to a speed limit under 70 mph as consequence of roadworks causing unexpected restrictions of more than one week.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
From 00:01 on 03/10/2016 to 23:59 on 09/10/2016, the percentage of the M1 subject to speed restrictions was 16.7 per cent northbound and 17.2 per cent southbound.