Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-06-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the incidence of traffic jams.

Mr Robert Goodwill

This Government is investing £24 billion on strategic roads in England across this Parliament and the next six years. This includes £317 million, before April 2015, on Highways Agency pinch point schemes tackling congestion and supporting economic growth. We are also providing, before April 2015, £265 million from the Local Pinch Point Fund for 112 projects across England aimed at relieving congestion and supporting economic growth.

In England, subject to approval, ‘Permit Schemes’ are available to local authorities in England so that anyone wanting to dig up the road must first apply for a permit to work. This provision gives authorities the power to better challenge how long those works take, to impose conditions, and to co-ordinate works. They can also charge ‘over-run’ charges to utility companies. The Department is also currently trialling Lane Rental in two highway authority areas, which enables them to charge for works taking place on the busiest roads at the busiest times.

Outside of England, measures to reduce the incidence of traffic jams are a matter for the respective devolved administration.