{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Motorways%3A+Repairs+and+Maintenance&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2018-07-03T16%3A40%3A19.963Z", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Motorways%3A+Repairs+and+Maintenance&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2018-07-03T16%3A40%3A19.963Z", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_metadata=all&hansardHeading=Motorways%3A+Repairs+and+Maintenance&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2018-07-03T16%3A40%3A19.963Z", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&hansardHeading=Motorways%3A+Repairs+and+Maintenance&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2018-07-03T16%3A40%3A19.963Z", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Motorways%3A+Repairs+and+Maintenance&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2018-07-03T16%3A40%3A19.963Z", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Motorways%3A+Repairs+and+Maintenance&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2018-07-03T16%3A40%3A19.963Z", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/828111", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/828111/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Highways England do not hold data in the requested format. On Smart Motorways, speed limits below the national limit are set dynamically to smooth traffic flows or manage incidents so the length of 40mph or 50mph zones changes all the time. When Highways England are undertaking improvements or maintenance works, it is sometimes necessary to set a temporary speed limit below the national limit. Details on live traffic information can be tracked on Highways England\u2019s Traffic England Website <a href=\"http://www.trafficengland.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>http://www.trafficengland.com/<\/em><\/a> and upcoming roadworks are available on <a href=\"https://roadworks.org/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>https://roadworks.org/<\/em><\/a><em> .<\/em><\/p><p><em> <\/em><\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3991", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jesse Norman"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hereford and South Herefordshire"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jesse Norman"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-01-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-01-25T12:28:29.167Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-01-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motorways: Repairs and Maintenance"}
      , "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, how many miles of (a) 40mph and (b) 50mph zones have been in place on motorways in each of the last ten years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4418", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Madders"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ellesmere Port and Neston"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Justin Madders"}
      ], "uin" : "124071"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/643988", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/643988/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>I have asked Highways England to look at shortening the length of roadworks to reduce the impact on road users. Following my discussions with them, Highways England are working towards utilising shorter lengths and looking at whether they can safely increase speed limits through roadworks, which will improve the overall customer experience and minimise disruption.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Contraflows (utilising the opposite carriageway) and reducing lane size can be used to allow for more lanes to be opened during maintenance and other works on a motorway and the UK guidance on roadworks layouts is contained within the Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Highways England are currently testing running traffic through roadworks at 60mph whilst they undertake technology commissioning on a future smart motorway scheme on M1 J34-35a near Sheffield in South Yorkshire.<\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/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" : "2016-11-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-11-29T16:36:48.217Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-11-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motorways: Repairs and Maintenance"}
      , "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 discussions he has had with Highways England on its policy of contraflow and reducing lane size during maintenance or other work on motorways; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/253", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tewkesbury"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Laurence Robertson"}
      ], "uin" : "54779"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/523641", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/523641/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>We are undertaking the biggest investment in roads in a generation to deliver better journeys for motorists. Highways England\u2019s top priority is maintaining the safety of all motorists and road workers whilst keeping disruption to a minimum.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Highways England, as a general principle, aim to reduce the lengths of roadworks to a maximum of 10 miles, shorter if possible and if safety allows.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>They will also be carrying out trials to raise the speed limit through roadworks to 55mph where it is safe to do so in order to help minimise queues.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>These changes could come into effect on many new schemes from 2017 depending on the outcome of the trials.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3996", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Jones"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrogate and Knaresborough"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Jones"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-06-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-06-14T09:44:11.227Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-06-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motorways: Repairs and Maintenance"}
      , "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 progress he has made on his plans to limit motorway roadworks to no more than stretches of two miles.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Greg Knight"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Yorkshire"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Greg Knight"}
      ], "uin" : "39617"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/424757", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/424757/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Highways England combine maintenance and improvement schemes to maximise activity within roadworks. However, lane closures are sometimes left in place through the day and then work undertaken overnight. Removing these completely each day would be time consuming and would delay projects and motorists for longer.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3996", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Jones"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrogate and Knaresborough"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Jones"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-10-29T13:36:16.99Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-10-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motorways: Repairs and Maintenance"}
      , "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 steps his Department has taken to minimise the extent and length of road works on the motorway network at times when work is not taking place.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4005", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bob Blackman"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrow East"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Bob Blackman"}
      ], "uin" : "901880"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/417883", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/417883/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>From Highways England\u2019s records that are readily available,<\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p>(1) The last major maintenance work at the junction of the M6 and the A38 (M), known as Spaghetti Junction was undertaken in 1995.<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p>(2) The last major maintenance work at the elevated section of the M5 between junctions 1 and 2 was undertaken in 1987.<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p /> <p>On the matter of the annual maintenance cost:<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p>The cost of maintaining the motorway junction of the M6 with the A38(M), known as Spaghetti Junction was approximately £8.2m for the 12 month period July 2014 to June2015.<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p>Costs for earlier periods are not readily available.<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p>The cost of maintaining the elevated section of the M5 between junctions 1 and 2 was approximately £2.4m for the 12 month period July 2014 to June 2015.<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p>Costs for earlier periods are not readily available.<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL2117"}
        , {"_value" : "HL2118"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-16T14:04:15.587Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motorways: Repairs and Maintenance"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government when the last major maintenance work was undertaken on (1) the junction of the M6 and the A38(M), known as Spaghetti Junction, and (2) the elevated section of the M5 between junctions 1 and 2.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4163", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord German"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord German"}
      ], "uin" : "HL2116"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/417884", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/417884/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>From Highways England\u2019s records that are readily available,<\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p>(1) The last major maintenance work at the junction of the M6 and the A38 (M), known as Spaghetti Junction was undertaken in 1995.<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p>(2) The last major maintenance work at the elevated section of the M5 between junctions 1 and 2 was undertaken in 1987.<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p /> <p>On the matter of the annual maintenance cost:<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p>The cost of maintaining the motorway junction of the M6 with the A38(M), known as Spaghetti Junction was approximately £8.2m for the 12 month period July 2014 to June2015.<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p>Costs for earlier periods are not readily available.<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p>The cost of maintaining the elevated section of the M5 between junctions 1 and 2 was approximately £2.4m for the 12 month period July 2014 to June 2015.<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p /> <p>Costs for earlier periods are not readily available.<\/p><p /> <p> <\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL2116"}
        , {"_value" : "HL2118"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-16T14:04:15.667Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motorways: Repairs and Maintenance"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what is the annual cost of maintaining the motorway junction of the M6 with the A38(M), known as Spaghetti Junction, for each of the last 10 years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4163", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord German"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord German"}
      ], "uin" : "HL2117"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/416338", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/416338/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>On the 31<sup>st<\/sup> August the total proportion of miles with speed reductions due to roadworks was 10 per cent for the (a) M1, (b) M5, (c) M6, (d) M25, (e) M62 and (f) M4 combined. Roadworks will inevitably arise as part of this Government\u2019s ambitious £15.2bn plan of capital investment to improve the capacity and condition of England\u2019s motorways and major \u2018A\u2019 roads which includes a tripling of the annual level of investment on road enhancements by the end of the decade.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3996", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Jones"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrogate and Knaresborough"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Jones"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-11T13:07:52.93Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motorways: Repairs and Maintenance"}
      , "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 proportion of the total mileage of the (a) M1, (b) M5, (c) M6, (d) M25, (e) M62 and (f) M4 operated (i) without reduced speed restrictions and (ii) at a reduced speed due to roadworks on 31 August 2015.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3952", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Toby Perkins"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chesterfield"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Toby Perkins"}
      ], "uin" : "8982"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/381560", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/381560/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Highways England is working closely with the Department for Transport to progress various initiatives to improve the customer experience through roadworks. The government has announced a major investment in the strategic roads infrastructure which includes motorways. This will need to be carefully planned and managed, particularly in respect of length of roadworks and proximity of adjacent works to one another, to ensure the impact of construction on road users is minimised.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3996", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Jones"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrogate and Knaresborough"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Jones"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-23T11:26:31.773Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motorways: Repairs and Maintenance"}
      , "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, if he will discuss with the Highways Agency the potential merits of introducing shorter stretches of roadworking on motorways.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Greg Knight"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Yorkshire"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Greg Knight"}
      ], "uin" : "2664"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93865", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93865/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Highways Agency is delivering the biggest ever programme of investment in our national roads \u2013 £24 billion from the start of this current Parliament through to 2021. This will ensure we have a strategic road network that continues to help sustain economic growth and meet the needs of the road user.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Work is planned very carefully to minimise disruption as far as possible, and to ensure the safety of road users and road workers. Where the Agency has to close lanes for safety reasons, this is done at quieter times and at night when possible. They aim to keep motorways open during works rather than closing them and diverting traffic onto local roads less suitable for motorway traffic. Also, a high proportion of road works are lifted on bank and seasonal holidays to limit disruption to road users.<\/p><p>The Highways Agency has a process in place for the planning of road works, referred to as the Network Occupancy Management process. This process sets out the procedures for the management of road space occupancy with the primary objective of reducing road user delay. In simple terms, the process was designed to aid the Agency in its legal obligation, under Section 59 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991; to coordinate and where possible minimise the impact of works. The process provides a clear definition of roles and responsibilities and a set of structured management procedures.<\/p><p>The process is underpinned by a road space booking system which was designed to provide accurate and up to date information on lane closures on the Strategic Road Network. This system is populated with all planned road works and analyses their proximity and timing to other works. The system also includes a delay cost model allowing the impact of occupation on traffic to be estimated which supports an evidence based decision making approach embodied in the process.<\/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" : "2014-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-24T10:43:21.9295331Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motorways: Repairs and Maintenance"}
      , "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 guidance his Department issues to the Highways Agency on phasing works on motorways to reduce congestion and journey times; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Greg Knight"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Yorkshire"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Greg Knight"}
      ], "uin" : "210898"}
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