Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many, if any, National Highways contracts were awarded between 21 September and 25 October for preparatory works at structures that the Stakeholder Advisory Forum had not yet considered for infilling; and why preparatory works were undertaken after the pause on such works had been imposed.

National Highways does not award individual contracts as it has overarching framework contracts in place with call off arrangements.

National Highways has not accepted prices on any preparatory works to specifically prepare for infilling activity between 21 September and 25 October .

National Highways has accepted prices to provide access for ecologists to undertake bat surveys at 12 structures and for a site investigation to be undertaken.

The pause has been applied to infill and demolition work. The only works that have occurred since have been to provide access for ecologists to undertake surveys or to remove vegetation.

National Highways removes vegetation for preventative maintenance reasons. This is something that National Highways is doing across the Historical Railways Estate. Undertaking ecological surveys is not preparatory work for infilling or demolition, it is part of the National Highways’ regular routine asset management approach.