Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the A1(M) between Newark and its junction with the B6325 was last inspected for potholes; and when it is due to be resurfaced.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
National Highways’ inspectors carry out weekly safety inspections of the A1 between Newark and its junction with the B6325. The last inspection was carried out on 1st March 2022. Daily patrols are also carried out. Any potholes are treated in 24 hours and should further deterioration occur as identified through monitoring, then permanent repairs will take place, often within 28 days.
National Highways continues to review the condition of the A1 between Newark and its junction with the B6325 along with other routes on the strategic road network to ensure that future works are prioritised according to need.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what new proposals he has to improve (a) safety and (b) traffic flows on the A1079 in East Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
A scheme to improve the A1079 at Wilberfoss is in the Department’s Major Road Network programme of Local Authority promoted schemes. My officials are awaiting additional information from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the scheme’s promoter, following which advice will be provided to Ministers on whether the scheme should be approved for funding. A further scheme, the A164 Jock's Lodge Junction Improvement Scheme which would improve the A164/A1079 junction, is also in our programme of Local Authority promoted schemes. The Final Business case is scheduled to be submitted later this year.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from (a) local highway authorities and (b) other stakeholders on allocating Major Road Network (MRN) funding to enable the A15 north of Lincoln to be dualled in whole or in part; and what assessment has been made of the potential merits of dualling that section of the A15 as part of the Government's levelling up programme.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The A15 north of Lincoln is the responsibility of local highway authorities – Lincolnshire County Council and North Lincolnshire Council. It is for those authorities to prioritise areas of their networks for improvements, and to seek funding, if required.
The Department has not received applications to either the Major Roads Network or Levelling Up Fund proposing to dual the A15 north of Lincoln. The issue has been raised via the Northern Transport Acceleration Council and we understand that the local highway authorities are currently examining options and impacts of the works.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what policies he plans to introduce to (a) tackle the potential dangers caused by e-scooter use and (b) prevent their illegal use.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Department for Transport is considering options for how best to regulate e-scooters and crack down on their illegal use. New measures being considered will be designed to create a much clearer, fit for purpose and fully enforceable regime for e-scooters and other micromobility vehicles, including robust construction and use requirements and relevant offences.
Enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed to tackle illegal riding of e-scooters is an operational matter for Chief officers according to local policing plans. The Government will continue to support the police by ensuring they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation including those relating to electric scooters.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to increase hydrogen fuelling infrastructure across the UK; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
As of December 2021, there are fourteen publicly accessible hydrogen refueling stations across the UK. Future Government support for the deployment of additional hydrogen refueling infrastructure will be linked to specific research and development programmes, such as our pioneering zero emission road freight trials that will demonstrate hydrogen fuel cell HGVs on UK roads.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what publicity campaigns his Department conducted prior to the new Highway Code coming into force.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Department notified the public about the review of The Highway Code to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders as part of a call for evidence on cycling and walking safety (November 2018).
The government initially announced the detail of the incoming updates to The Highway Code to national media last summer. They followed a public consultation where nearly 21,000 people submitted their views, with the majority supporting the changes.
On 1 December the documents laid before Parliament for approval were made available online. This was followed by a press notice, myth busting factsheet and toolkit for stakeholders to amplify the messages on 26 January, prior to the alterations coming into effect on 29 January.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consultations took place with representatives of motoring groups before the new Highway Code was brought into force; and with whom those consultations took place.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
When carrying out the review of The Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, the Department for Transport worked closely with an expert stakeholder group from the outset representing different users of the road, including the AA. All road users had the opportunity to influence the changes to The Highway Code through a 12-week formal consultation process and through dedicated workshops at which the RAC and the Road Haulage Association were represented.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the need for extensive pothole repairs across the motorway network in Yorkshire.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
National Highways’ inspectors carry out daily safety patrols on the motorways in Yorkshire and weekly safety inspections on other stretches of the Strategic Road Network (SRN). Where safety critical defects, including potholes, are identified, they are made safe within 24 hours. Permanent repairs are carried out according to the severity of the defect, often within 28 days. National Highways will continue to review the condition of our motorways in Yorkshire, along with other routes on the SRN, to ensure that future improvement works are prioritised according to need.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing variable speed limits along long stretches of roadworks on motorways so that motorists travelling at times when no work is taking place, such as evenings and weekends, are not required to travel at low speed.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
On the Strategic Road Network (SRN), which comprises our motorways and principal A roads, keeping disruption from road works and traffic management to a minimum is an important priority for National Highways (NH). NH keeps the maximum number of lanes open at busy times and carries out the vast majority of work requiring extra restrictions either overnight or at the weekend, when traffic flows are lowest. Where works are undertaken overnight, NH is often able to keep the speed limit at 70mph.
Reduced traffic volumes are not the only factor when determining the appropriate speed for road works. Visibility and carriageway widths, amongst other things, need to be considered to ensure the safety of road workers and road users.
NH has increased the speed limit through most road works from 50mph to 60mph and uses more contraflows on its schemes, which can reduce the need for closures. This has led to improved journey times and saved 3,800,000 vehicle hours and £63 million.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing the use of variable speed limits when long stretches of roadworks are taking place on motorways in order that motorists are not obliged to travel at an unnecessarily low speed at times when no work is taking place.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
On the Strategic Road Network (SRN), which comprises our motorways and principal A roads, keeping disruption from road works and traffic management to a minimum is an important priority for National Highways (NH). NH keeps the maximum number of lanes open at busy times and carries out the vast majority of work requiring extra restrictions either overnight or at the weekend, when traffic flows are lowest. Where works are undertaken overnight, NH is often able to keep the speed limit at 70mph.
Reduced traffic volumes are not the only factor when determining the appropriate speed for road works. Visibility and carriageway widths, amongst other things, need to be considered to ensure the safety of road workers and road users.
NH has increased the speed limit through most road works from 50mph to 60mph and uses more contraflows on its schemes, which can reduce the need for closures. This has led to improved journey times and saved 3,800,000 vehicle hours and £63 million.