Asked by: Lord Trefgarne (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied with the regulatory arrangements relating to the conduct of roadworks on public highways undertaken by public utility companies.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government wants to deliver better journeys for drivers. Utility works are essential, but they should not be in place any longer than is absolutely necessary.
Whilst we are satisfied that the regulatory arrangements are working well, we continue to keep them under review to modernise and update legislation and statutory guidance where necessary, and where it will lead to improvements in the way that these works are managed.
Recent examples include a consultation on lane rental powers published on 2nd September. Lane rental allows local authorities to charge utility companies for works on the busiest roads at the busiest times. We will shortly be publishing updated statutory guidance relating to inspections. In 2015, we updated regulations and guidance on permit schemes that are now in place in almost 60% of local authority areas and which are resulting in more effective management of street works and reductions in their duration. We continue to work with stakeholders to encourage more local authorities take up and adopt permit schemes.
Asked by: Lord Trefgarne (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
Her Majesty's Government what are their plans for the regulation of UK civil aviation following Brexit.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising from the UK’s exit from the EU, including future arrangements for the regulation of civil aviation. The Repeal Bill, introduced into the House of Commons on 13 July, will convert EU law as it stands at the moment of Exit into domestic law before we leave the EU. Until the UK leaves the EU, EU law continues to apply alongside national rules. The Department for Transport is working closely with the sector to best understand its requirements.
Asked by: Lord Trefgarne (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the progress of the roadworks on the M3 motorway between junctions 2 and 4a; and when they expect those works to be completed.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Highways England is on schedule to open the M3 Smart Motorway between junctions 2 and 4a on 30 June 2017.
Alongside the delivery of this Smart Motorways scheme Highways England have also undertaken additional planned maintenance and renewal of a large amount of existing infrastructure reducing the need for further roadworks. This has included full low noise resurfacing of the carriageways. Highways England has delivered most of this work in parallel, there will be some remaining works which will need to take place beyond the 30 June 2017.
Asked by: Lord Trefgarne (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are their proposals for the regulation of civil aviation following Brexit.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising from the UK’s exit from the EU, including future arrangements for the regulation of civil aviation. Until the UK leaves the EU, EU law continues to apply alongside national rules. The Department for Transport is working closely with the sector to best understand its requirements.
The Great Repeal Bill, as set out in the White Paper published 30th March, will convert EU law as it stands at the moment of Exit into domestic law before we leave the EU. It will also enable domestic law to reflect the content of any withdrawal agreement under Article 50. This approach will provide maximum clarity and certainty for business and individuals, as in general the same rules and laws will apply on the day of Exit. Parliament (and, where appropriate, the devolved legislatures) will then have the ability, where it decides it is right to do so, to amend, repeal, or improve any piece of EU law at the appropriate time once we have left the EU.
Asked by: Lord Trefgarne (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is their intention to repatriate to the Civil Aviation Authority the regulation of civil aviation following Brexit.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the Government’s expert Arm’s Length Body for the safety, security, consumer rights and economic regulation of civil aviation in the United Kingdom. The CAA participates in European Union (EU) regulatory systems in these areas. The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising from the UK’s exit from the EU, including for the aviation industry.