Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the increased risk to road-users consequent on any future decision to exempt from MOT tests any vehicle built more than 40 years ago; and when the consultation on that proposal is due to report.
Answered by John Hayes
From 16 September to 2 November 2016 we consulted over proposals to exempt vehicles from annual roadworthiness tests. The consultation document included an Impact Assessment, which estimated the risks to road users of the options in the consultation.
We expect to announce a decision on the outcome of the consultation soon.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the decline in demand for new tyres for pre-1960 vehicles since the requirement for an annual MOT test for such vehicles was removed in 2012; whether there has been an increase in the number of road traffic accidents involving such vehicles since 2012; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by John Hayes
We have not made any assessment of the demand for new tyres for vehicles constructed or first registered before 1960. We have the following figures for personal injury accidents where at least one of the vehicles involved was constructed or first registered before 1960:
2012: 55
2013: 51
2014: 54
2015: 45
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of MOT testing in ensuring that vehicles with unroadworthy tyres are not used on the public highway.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The MOT test is an effective tool for checking annually that vehicles meet minimum roadworthiness standards, including those applying to the condition of tyres. Of the around 27 million registered cars eligible for MOT, 7,789,251 class 3 and 4 vehicles (cars, vans and passenger vehicles with up to 12 seats) failed the MOT during the business year 2015/2016. A total of 599,772 (7.7%) of those test failures related to defective tyres. Identification of tyre-related defects at MOT prevented the cars to which they were fitted from being used on public roads with unroadworthy tyres.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect on the frequency with which the level crossing at Junction Road, Totton, will have to be operated resulting from increased use of the railhead at Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre, following the awarding of a lease at the site to a private enterprise.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre is still under consideration for possible sale or lease by the MOD. Any subsequent use of the land would be for consideration at the local level along with an assessment of the transport implications on the surrounding network. The transport assessment would not be the responsibility for the Department for Transport but would be for the local highway authority to consider. In addition, it is a matter for Network Rail to make an assessment of the risk at the level crossing at Junction Road, Totton.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect on traffic on (a) the A326 and (b) Jacob's Gutter Lane of projected heavy goods vehicle movements arising from the proposed leasing of land at the Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre is still under consideration for possible sale or lease by the MOD. Any subsequent use of the land would be for consideration at the local level along with an assessment of the transport implications on the surrounding network. The transport assessment would not be the responsibility for the Department for Transport but would be for the local highway authority to consider. In addition, it is a matter for Network Rail to make an assessment of the risk at the level crossing at Junction Road, Totton.