The operation of traffic lights is a matter for local authorities. Part-time operation is already possible, but an authority would need to carefully consider the possible impacts, particularly on road safety.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Department has not carried out any trials of turning off traffic lights during low demand periods, and to date it has not been approached by any local authorities wishing to carry out such a trial.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Department has not issued any further guidance on this matter.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1562", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Scarborough and Whitby"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Robert Goodwill"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T15:27:27.086824Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Traffic Lights"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's Report, The Operation of Traffic Signals during Low Demand Periods, published in October 2012, what trials to turn off traffic lights during such periods proposed by local authorities have taken place; what the findings were of those trials; and whether his Department has issued any further guidance on this matter.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/301", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Burden"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Northfield"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Richard Burden"} ], "uin" : "212722"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101983", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101983/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department commissioned technical and engineering advice from consultants in respect of electrification in 2013/14 and 2014/15.<\/p>
£38,717.28 (including VAT) was spent in the financial year 2013/14.<\/p>
£104,400.00 (including VAT) has been spent to date in 2014/15.<\/p>
In addition, a research project was carried out in 2010 looking at electrification of Branch Lines with a value of £35,000.00<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3974", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Claire Perry"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Devizes"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Claire Perry"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T15:26:22.307549Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Railways: Electrification"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department spent on consultants on electrification in financial years (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15 to date.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4029", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lilian Greenwood"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Nottingham South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lilian Greenwood"} ], "uin" : "212721"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101984", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101984/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government\u2019s proposals for the Road Investment Strategy (RIS) will be outlined in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement on 3 December. This will set out how the funding announced in the 2013 Spending Round will be allocated.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr John Hayes"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-05T12:33:11.2233825Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Highways Agency"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the announcement in HM Treasury's paper, Cm 8669, Investing in Britain's Future, page 13, that £15,145 million will be allocated to the Highways Agency between 2015-16 and 2020-21, to what schemes and use that funding has been allocated; and how that allocation is apportioned over time.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/301", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Burden"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Northfield"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Richard Burden"} ], "uin" : "212729"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101985", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101985/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The science of noise barriers (acoustic fencing) is well established. A noise barrier creates a "shadow zone" behind it, reducing the energy of the sound waves in a comparable way to a breakwater protecting a harbour. The Highways Agency is actively encouraging developments in noise barrier technology and is represented on the British Standards Institution (BSI) committee involved in preparing new standards for noise barriers in line with the EU Harmonised standard EN1793.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr John Hayes"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-05T12:36:21.0153121Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Road Traffic: Noise"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of acoustic fencing on reducing traffic noise levels.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/534", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Ruane"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Vale of Clwyd"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Ruane"} ], "uin" : "212556"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101986", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101986/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
It is well understood that trees and vegetation have a limited effect on noise propagation from roads, and a broad band of densely planted trees is required to significantly reduce noise.<\/p>
<\/p>
The EC\u2019s 'HOSANNA' research project (Holistic and Sustainable Abatement of Noise by Optimised Combinations of Natural and Artificial Means) has identified and assessed vegetation strategies that could deliver perceptible noise reductions. The project\u2019s findings became available between 2010 and 2013.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Highways Agency will consider these strategies for use on new or modified road schemes.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr John Hayes"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-05T12:37:27.7199779Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Road Traffic: Noise"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of trees and vegetation in reducing traffic noise levels.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/534", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Ruane"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Vale of Clwyd"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Ruane"} ], "uin" : "212557"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101987", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101987/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CRTN) provides advice on appropriate road surface corrections to be applied within noise assessments. However, this advice does not currently extend to the range of proprietary thin bituminous surfacing materials, commonly regarded as a low-noise surfacing, which emerged in the late 1990\u2019s. There is additional advice to CRTN procedures in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges in the noise and vibration standard HD213. Revised in 2011, HD213 sets out an example methodology which can be used to determine appropriate road surface corrections for low-noise surfaces.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr John Hayes"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-05T12:38:26.1257718Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Roads: Noise"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of different types of road surfaces on traffic noise levels.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/534", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Ruane"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Vale of Clwyd"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Ruane"} ], "uin" : "212558"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101989", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101989/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The costs of the 4 most recently-completed Direct Award projects have been as follows:<\/p>
<\/p>
Northern £1.536million<\/p>
Greater Anglia £1.088million<\/p>
West Coast £ 0.842million<\/p>
Southeastern £ 0.918million<\/p>
<\/p>
In Total: £ 4.384million<\/p>
<\/p>
These figures include staff costs, advisers, \u201cnon-pay\u201d administrative costs (for example, IT facilities, training and travel expenses) and VAT.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3974", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Claire Perry"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Devizes"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Claire Perry"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T15:35:16.7701088Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Railways: Franchises"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the costs of administering each franchise of the Direct Awards programme are.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4029", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lilian Greenwood"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Nottingham South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lilian Greenwood"} ], "uin" : "212594"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101990", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101990/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Midland Mainline is already electrified from London to Bedford. Work to improve resilience has already begun to prepare the route south of Bedford for the greater number of trains that will run and the higher speeds of the intercity electric trains. This work includes upgrading power supplies and other components.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3974", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Claire Perry"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Devizes"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Claire Perry"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T15:28:38.3169731Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Midland Main Line: Electrification"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what works will be required to overhead wiring south of Bedford as a result of the Midland Main Line electrification programme.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4029", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lilian Greenwood"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Nottingham South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lilian Greenwood"} ], "uin" : "212593"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101991", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101991/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Directly Operated Railways\u2019 (DOR) staff numbers were 12 (8.3 FTE) in 2013/14 and are forecast to be 6 (3.5 FTE) at the end of 2014/15.<\/p>
DOR\u2019s gross costs were £3.65 million in 2013/14 and are forecast to be £2.06 million in 2014/15. These costs are met by a combination of management charges to their subsidiary company (East Coast) and charges to the Department for Transport in respect of work undertaken on the rail franchising programme.<\/p>
No forecasts are available beyond 31 March 2015 at present as the future activities of the company will be reviewed following the sale of the East Coast business later this financial year.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3974", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Claire Perry"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Devizes"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Claire Perry"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T15:24:46.0303192Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Directly Operated Railways"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what Directly Operated Railways' staff numbers and overall budget are projected to be in each year between 2013-14 and 2016-17.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4029", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lilian Greenwood"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Nottingham South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lilian Greenwood"} ], "uin" : "212595"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101992", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101992/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
High Speed Rail Group occupy approximately 510 square metres of the third floor Great Minster House (GMH). The cost per square metre in GMH is £850 per annum including VAT. Therefore, the total cost of our accommodation in GMH is £433,500 per annum. The main point to note is that we do not pay for any of this accommodation because it is part of the Department for Transport (DfT) overheads and the Building Services do not recharge any part of DfT for such provision.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1562", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Scarborough and Whitby"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Robert Goodwill"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T16:50:44.9955172Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "High Speed Two"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what premises officials in his Department are working on High Speed (a) 2 and (b) 3; what the square footage is of each premises; and what the annual cost per square foot of each premises is.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/18", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Cheryl Gillan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chesham and Amersham"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mrs Cheryl Gillan"} ], "uin" : "212591"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&min-ddpModified=2015-02-06T19%3A13%3A27.323Z&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-11-03T11%3A56%3A42.4166785Z&session.=2014%2F15&min-ddpCreated=2014-10-21T20%3A53%3A34.590Z&answeringDeptSortName=Transport&max-questionFirstAnswered.=2014-11-05T14%3A33%3A12.6052318Z", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 31, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }