Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 March to 2015 to Question 225869, if he will direct Highways Agency officers to clear the slip roads, central reservations and embankments of the M67 of litter.

The Highways Agency is, as of 10 March 2015, on site undertaking an inspection of all areas of the M67, including the slip-roads, central reservations and embankments. This assessment applies a grading for both litter and refuse in accordance with a Code of Practice, which supplements the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and specifies standards of cleanliness and response times. Nevertheless, I regard these standards as a baseline above and beyond which we should aim.

Any restoration measures are required to take place within timescales set out in the Code of Practice. It specifies fourteen days for slip-road carriageways, their hard-shoulders, verges and embankments. It specifies twenty-eight days (or as soon as is reasonably practicable) for mainline carriageways, their central reservations, hard-shoulders, verges and embankments. I have asked the Highways Agency to ensure that it meets its obligations for removing litter, in accordance with the results of the ongoing assessment of all areas of the M67 and, as noted in my answer to 226747, report to me accordingly. When they have done so I will ensure that a copy of the report is forwarded to the honourable gentleman.