Asked by: Edward Argar (Conservative - Melton and Syston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the annual additional lorry miles on concrete deliveries that would rise from cutting the weights of volumetric concrete mobile from 2028.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
A call for evidence ran from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for VCMs. The following factors were considered: reduction in payload per journey, increased waste, and increased vehicle mileage.
Information received did not provide any compelling evidence for permitting a weight limit exemption specifically for VCMs on the grounds of increased lorry miles.
Current exemptions to weight limits for VCMs will expire in 2028. This policy is being maintained.
Asked by: Edward Argar (Conservative - Melton and Syston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what environmental impact assessment she has carried out ahead of a decision on whether to ban volumetric concrete mobile plants in 2028.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The outcome of my department’s review into volumetric concrete mixers was published on 18 March. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review
Whilst some VCM operators have argued that heavier VCMs could reduce overall trips and emissions, the increased road and bridge damage would result in more frequent repairs, offsetting these potential benefits.
VCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads, but as planned, a temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle will end on 31 March 2028. This is not a ban or change in policy.
Asked by: Edward Argar (Conservative - Melton and Syston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Local Transport Fund allocations 2025 to 2032, published on 26 February 2024, what her Department's planned timetable is for making available the funding allocated to Leicestershire County Council.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The previous government made a number of funding commitments in the Network North Command Paper and these will be examined closely by the government in the coming months.
Asked by: Edward Argar (Conservative - Melton and Syston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria National Highways use when determining which junctions qualify for funding for safety improvements.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Decisions on schemes are taken following the governance arrangements set out in National Highways’ Licence and Framework and within the level of funding agreed at the start of each Road Period. National Highways improves safety of the network through various activities including operations, maintenance and renewals; major enhancements; designated funds (including a Safety & Congestion Designated Fund). Schemes that improve safety are designed according to the safety objectives of the given section of the road network. Scheme designs are appraised for value for money and how effective they are at achieving scheme objectives.
Asked by: Edward Argar (Conservative - Melton and Syston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much contingency funding for urgent safety- critical projects National Highways has set aside in its 2024-2025 budget for in-year funding bids.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Funding for safety critical repairs is drawn from National Highways’ Maintenance and Renewals budget, the budget for 2024/25 is £230m for maintenance and £1.2bn for renewals.
Asked by: Edward Argar (Conservative - Melton and Syston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many road traffic accidents involving (a) fatalities, (b) serious injuries and (c) minor injuries have occurred at (i) Nottingham road, (ii) Belvoir road, (iii) Grantham road, (iv) Castle view road and (v) Muston lane junction on the A52 in each year from 2010.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The number of reported road collisions by collision severity and at the requested road junctions on the A52 between 2010 and 2022, for which is the latest reported year, can be found in the table below.
Reported road collisions on the A52 by severity and at the junctions with requested roads, 2010 to 2022 | ||||
Source: DfT, STATS19 | ||||
Year | Junction | Fatal collisions | Serious collisions | Slight collisions |
2010 | Belvoir Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2011 | Belvoir Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2012 | Belvoir Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2013 | Belvoir Road junction | 0 | 0 | 1 |
2014 | Belvoir Road junction | 0 | 0 | 1 |
2015 | Belvoir Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2016 | Belvoir Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2017 | Belvoir Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2018 | Belvoir Road junction | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2019 | Belvoir Road junction | 1 | 0 | 1 |
2020 | Belvoir Road junction | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2021 | Belvoir Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2022 | Belvoir Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2010 | Castle View Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2011 | Castle View Road junction | 0 | 0 | 2 |
2012 | Castle View Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2013 | Castle View Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2014 | Castle View Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2015 | Castle View Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2016 | Castle View Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2017 | Castle View Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2018 | Castle View Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2019 | Castle View Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2020 | Castle View Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2021 | Castle View Road junction | 0 | 0 | 1 |
2022 | Castle View Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2010 | Grantham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2011 | Grantham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2012 | Grantham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2013 | Grantham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2014 | Grantham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2015 | Grantham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 1 |
2016 | Grantham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2017 | Grantham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2018 | Grantham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 1 |
2019 | Grantham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2020 | Grantham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2021 | Grantham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 1 |
2022 | Grantham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2010 | Muston Lane junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2011 | Muston Lane junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2012 | Muston Lane junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2013 | Muston Lane junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2014 | Muston Lane junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2015 | Muston Lane junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2016 | Muston Lane junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2017 | Muston Lane junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2018 | Muston Lane junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2019 | Muston Lane junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2020 | Muston Lane junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2021 | Muston Lane junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2022 | Muston Lane junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2010 | Nottingham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2011 | Nottingham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2012 | Nottingham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2013 | Nottingham Road junction | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2014 | Nottingham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2015 | Nottingham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2016 | Nottingham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2017 | Nottingham Road junction | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2018 | Nottingham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2019 | Nottingham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2020 | Nottingham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 1 |
2021 | Nottingham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2022 | Nottingham Road junction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Asked by: Edward Argar (Conservative - Melton and Syston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if (a) his Department and (b) National Highways will make an assessment of the potential merits of road safety junction improvement works at the A46 Seagrave-Thanington cross-over in Leicestershire.
Answered by Karl McCartney
Following the developer-led junction improvement scheme that was delivered in February this year for the new Leicester City Football Club training ground, a Stage 3 Road Safety Audit was carried out at this location. The designers of the scheme are currently developing an additional package of works to address the issues identified that relate to the right turn movement of traffic from Park Hill Lane onto the A46. Until these works are undertaken, the network remains under the jurisdiction of Leicester City Football Club.
Asked by: Edward Argar (Conservative - Melton and Syston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of delivery to date of (a) service improvements and (b) investment in new rolling stock as set out in the East Midlands 2019 rail franchise agreement.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
A new dedicated electric train service between Corby and London St Pancras, with frequency doubled to two train per hour has been delivered, enabling peak time long distance services to and from London to be accelerated. The new fleet of bi-mode long distance trains, committed to as part of the East Midlands 2019 rail franchise agreement, are under construction and should enter service in the next couple of years.
As a result of the impact of the pandemic, the Department are negotiating to replace the 2019 franchise agreement with a directly awarded National Rail Contract which will enable more flexibility to develop service and rolling stock plans that reflect the changes to travel habits that the pandemic caused.
Asked by: Edward Argar (Conservative - Melton and Syston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to tackle cyclists cycling on pavements.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Cycling on the pavement (“footway”) is an offence under Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835. Enforcement is a matter for the Police who are able to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice of £50 or can choose to prosecute offenders with a maximum fine of £500.
Like all road users, cyclists have a duty to behave in a safe and responsible manner, and this is reflected in the Highway Code's rules for cyclists.
On 9 March the Department published a Call for Evidence into how to improve road safety for pedestrians and cyclists, in order to support the Government ambition to make cycling and walking a natural choice for shorter journeys.
This consultation is open until 1 June and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/cycling-and-walking-investment-strategy-cwis-safety-review
Asked by: Edward Argar (Conservative - Melton and Syston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of expected traffic volumes on the M1 between junctions 21 and 22 in Leicestershire over the next 10 years.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The section between junction 21and 21a is busy because of the confluence between strategic traffic on the M1, regional flows between the M1 and M6 using the M69 and local traffic accessing Leicester.
There has been no specific 10 year assessment made of traffic volumes on the M1 between J21 - 22. However, the M1 section between J19 – 23a is the 8th busiest area within the London to Scotland East route strategy, and the 84th nationally.