Written question asked by Lord Pickles (Conservative) on Wednesday, 22 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 November 2000. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Thursday, 30 November 2000 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what the most recent date was on which the signing of the strategic diversion routes through the Essex section of the M25 was checked for continuity and accuracy; and how often that signing is checked; what discussions he has had with the Highways Agency about ensuring that the signing of the strategic diversion routes through the Essex section of the M25 is regularly maintained.

Answer: Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what the most recent date was on which the signing of the strategic diversion routes through the Essex section of the M25 was checked for continuity and accuracy; and how often that signing is checked; [140467] (2) what discussions he has had with the Highways Agency about ensuring that the signing of the strategic diversion routes through the Essex section of the M25 is regularly maintained. [140466] Mr. Hill: Responsibility for the maintenance of the `symbol' diversion signs from the M25 in Essex rests with the highway authority of the road on which the sign is placed. For trunk roads my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, the Environment and Regions is Highway Authority and the Highways Agency acts on his behalf. The Highways Agency maintains the signs in accordance with an agreed code of practice. For other roads the local authority takes responsibility and Agents act on its behalf. The Highways Agency checked the symbol diversionary signs for the Essex section of the M25 for continuity and accuracy in 1998-99 and these were reviewed as part of the London Primary Route Signing Project in 1999.

Secondary information