Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the reasons are for the time taken to commence the construction of the new roundabout at the junction of Harwich Road and the A120 east of Colchester; and when that construction is planned to begin.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Following feedback from public consultation, the design of the new roundabout, known as Pellens Corner, had to be revised.
Highways England recently awarded a contract for the construction of the new roundabout, and survey investigation work commenced on 17 July to enable the design and construction programme to be finalised.
The construction of the new roundabout is expected to commence later this summer.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he plans to take in response to the rejection by the European Parliament of the competitive market exemption condition agreed by the Council of Ministers in 2014 as part of the Council's General Approach to the Ports Regulation to ensure that the UK ports industry is fully protected from the effects of that regulation.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The European Parliament did not replicate the competitive market exemption (CME) provisions in the Council’s General Approach but negotiations on the EU port services Regulation are ongoing. I am committed to defending the UK’s ports and ensuring during the negotiations that the efficiency and competitiveness of our successful ports sector are safeguarded.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is the Government's policy that the EU Ports Services Regulation should be subject to the 12-month review procedure to assess its conformity with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality agreed between the Prime Minister and the EU and that no further action should be taken to progress that regulation until that review has taken place.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
As part of the settlement secured by the Prime Minister, the European Commission has committed to establish in the future a mechanism to review existing EU legislation for its compliance with the principle of subsidiarity and proportionality. This is an important shift in how the EU operates. Negotiations on the EU Port Services Regulation (PSR) are ongoing and I am committed to defending the UK’s successful ports and to opposing any amendments that would damage the efficiency and competitiveness of our ports sector.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent representations he has received on the proposed EU Ports Services Regulation; and what proposals he plans to make to other EU member states on that regulation.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
I have received recent representations from Honourable Members, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) as well as the British Ports Association (BPA) and the United Kingdom Major Ports Group (UKMPG) on the EU Port Services Regulation (PSR). I intend to work closely with like-minded EU Member States to ensure that as far as possible we achieve an outcome that protects the competitiveness and efficiency of the UK ports sector.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is the Government's policy to oppose the proposals of the EU Competition Directorate to introduce a block exemption from state aid regulations for EU ports.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The EU Competition Directorate recently launched an initial public consultation on the proposed extension of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) to ports and airports. The Government is currently studying the proposals and seeking the views of stakeholders before responding by the consultation deadline of 30 May 2016.