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Answering member
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David Cairns
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
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Primary member
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Answering member
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Cairns, David (590)
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
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Publisher
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the draft Open Skies aviation agreement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the draft Open Skies aviation agreement.
Asked by
Lady Hermon
(Ulster Unionist Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 March 2007
For answer on
15 March 2007
Answered on
3 May 2007
The Secretary of State for Transport has kept colleagues informed of progress with on-going negotiations on the draft EU/US Open Skies aviation agreement.
Subjects
Northern Ireland; USA; Air transport agreements
Date
3 May 2007
Reference
459 c1898-9W;459 c1899W; 128134
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to ensure that the spillage of raw sewage on to the main Londonderry to Limavady road close to BallyKelly Primary School will not recur.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to ensure that the spillage of raw sewage on to the main Londonderry to Limavady road close to BallyKelly Primary School will not recur.
Asked by
Gregory Campbell
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 April 2007
For answer on
2 May 2007
Answered on
2 May 2007
The Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006 transferred responsibility for the delivery of water and sewerage services from the Department’s Water Service Agency to a statutory water and sewerage undertaker. A Government-owned company, Northern Ireland Water (NIW) has been appointed as the undertaker and the issue raised is an operational matter for it. I have asked the chief executive of NIW (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Subjects
Northern Ireland; Sewage
Date
2 May 2007
Reference
135149; 459 c1699-700W;459 c1700W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on encouraging recycling across Northern Ireland.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on encouraging recycling across Northern Ireland.
Asked by
Andrew Rosindell
(Conservative)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
25 April 2007
For answer on
27 April 2007
Answered on
1 May 2007
““Towards Resource Management””, the waste strategy for Northern Ireland, sets challenging targets for the recycling and recovery of all wastes. I am committed to the development of viable end markets for recycled materials and to supporting the work of WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) and other initiatives that will engage the business sector and encourage recycling. Sustainable procurement and purchasing policies across central Government will help to stabilise these markets. My Department will also be consulting on providing powers for district councils to introduce incentive schemes to reduce and recycle household waste.
Subjects
Northern Ireland; Recycling
Date
1 May 2007
Reference
135022; 459 c1558W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are employed in local government in Northern Ireland.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are employed in local government in Northern Ireland.
Asked by
Andrew Rosindell
(Conservative)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
25 April 2007
For answer on
27 April 2007
Answered on
1 May 2007
The number of people employed in the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland, as at 1 January 2006, totalled 10,912. This figure has been provided from records held by the Local Government Staff Commission for Northern Ireland.
Subjects
Local government; Northern Ireland; Staff
Date
1 May 2007
Reference
135045; 459 c1557W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Government are taking to tackle the number of young drivers killed and injured on Northern Ireland's roads.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Government are taking to tackle the number of young drivers killed and injured on Northern Ireland's roads.
Asked by
Eddie McGrady
(Social Democratic & Labour Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
24 April 2007
For answer on
26 April 2007
Answered on
1 May 2007
The Northern Ireland Road Safety Strategy 2002-12 reinforces Government's commitment to road safety and includes a range of measures aimed at young drivers.The Department of the Environment is currently researching the training, testing and licensing of new and young drivers and the future direction for Northern Ireland's ““L”” and ““R”” driver schemes. Any proposed changes will be the subject of consultation.DOE actively promotes Road Traffic Studies and GCSE Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies in post-primary schools, providing support, training and materials to schools. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has developed an NVQ, ““Preparation for Driving””, which will be made available by September 2007. These courses focus on the attitudes of young adults, many of whom will soon become drivers. The PSNI ran 19 ““Roadsafe Roadshows”” during the current school year, attended by almost 11,000 young people, depicting how a night out could end in tragedy. DOE also offers, through schools, a driver training scheme to 17 and 18-year-olds with valid provisional licences.DOE has a portfolio of hard-hitting road safety campaigns targeting the main causes of road deaths and serious injuries. These particularly focus on the 17-24 age group as it is most at risk and most likely to be responsible for serious road collisions.The PSNI has introduced a Driver Improvement Scheme to improve driving standards and attitudes for first time careless driving offenders as an alternative to prosecution.Over the past year the PSNI has worked with young motorists through its involvement with a local ““cruising club””. Approximately 1,000 young people attended a recent event in Ballymena.The PSNI mounts intelligence-led road safety operations, particularly in relation to young drivers, throughout the year. In 2006, 3,723 fixed penalty notices for speeding were issued to 17 to 24-year-olds.
Subjects
Accidents; Northern Ireland; Roads
Date
1 May 2007
Reference
134407; 459 c1558-9W
House
House of Commons
Westminster Hall adjournment debate on the forthcoming elections in Scotland and the future of the United Kingdom.
Westminster Hall adjournment debate on the forthcoming elections in Scotland and the future of the United Kingdom.
Lead member
Jim Sheridan
Answering member
David Cairns
Department
Scotland Office; Northern Ireland Office
Type
Adjournment debates
Subjects
Devolution; Elections; Scotland; Scottish National Party
Date
1 May 2007
Reference
459 c400-24WH
Chamber / Committee
Westminster Hall
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what work has been undertaken by the two cross-border working groups set up by him and the Government of the Republic of Ireland dealing with unauthorised waste activities and the transfrontier shipment of wastes; how many meetings each has held; what...
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what work has been undertaken by the two cross-border working groups set up by him and the Government of the Republic of Ireland dealing with unauthorised waste activities and the transfrontier shipment of wastes; how many meetings each has held; what...
Asked by
David Simpson
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 April 2007
For answer on
24 April 2007
Answered on
27 April 2007
The Unauthorised Waste Activities (UWA) group was established to co-ordinate regional enforcement action against unauthorised waste activities. In addition to its co-ordinated enforcement actions, the group has also held seminars in conjunction with the Garda Siochana. The group first met in September 2004 and met six times in the first year The group was then reformed into a smaller regional co-ordinator working group which has gone on to meet seven times.The focus of the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste (TfS) Group has been on better and consistent enforcement by local authorities of the legislation covering cross-border movements of waste. This has involved action to check legitimate waste movements to Northern Ireland, development of guidance and training and liaison with European regulators. The TfS group first met in September 2004 and has met 13 times to date.The work is ongoing but has been acknowledged as bringing about better enforcement of environmental legislation on the island of Ireland. The research undertaken has enabled the scale of illegal waste activity on the island to be quantified and future plans to tackle it determined.Participation in the groups has led to improved communication and liaison between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland enforcement authorities involved in illegal waste enforcement cases. Increased co-ordination of enforcement activity on both sides of the border has led to a major reduction in the trafficking of illegal waste from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland. At the same time, there has been a reduction in the movement of illegal waste to Europe and beyond.
Subjects
Fly-tipping; Northern Ireland
Date
27 April 2007
Reference
133924; 459 c1356-7W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many households in each (a) council district and (b) parliamentary constituency had septic tank emptying agreements with Northern Ireland Water before 31 March 2007.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many households in each (a) council district and (b) parliamentary constituency had septic tank emptying agreements with Northern Ireland Water before 31 March 2007.
Asked by
Mark Durkan
(Social Democratic & Labour Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
25 April 2007
For answer on
27 April 2007
Answered on
27 April 2007
The Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006 transferred responsibility for the delivery of water and sewerage services from the Department’s Water Service Agency to a statutory water and sewerage undertaker. A government-owned company, Northern Ireland Water (NIW) has been appointed as the undertaker and the issues raised are operational matters for it. I have asked the chief executive of NIW (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to these questions.
Subjects
Northern Ireland; Sewage
Date
27 April 2007
Reference
134924; 459 c1357W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many positions have been advertised by Down District Council in the last 12 months; and what the religion was of those subsequently appointed to those positions.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many positions have been advertised by Down District Council in the last 12 months; and what the religion was of those subsequently appointed to those positions.
Asked by
Iris Robinson
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 April 2007
For answer on
24 April 2007
Answered on
26 April 2007
Employment policies and procedures are maters for each individual council. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive of Down district council to respond direct to you.
Subjects
Recruitment; Down District Council
Date
26 April 2007
Reference
133872; 459 c1225-6W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) total and (b) average amount of domestic waste was produced per household in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) total and (b) average amount of domestic waste was produced per household in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months.
Asked by
David Simpson
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 April 2007
For answer on
24 April 2007
Answered on
25 April 2007
The latest complete and validated data for municipal waste is for the financial year 2005-06. This indicates that:"(a) The total amount of household waste arisings in Northern Ireland for 2005-06 was 937,331 tonnes.""(b) The average amount of waste collected per household in 2005-06 was 1.36 tonnes, equating to 26.2 kg per household per week."
Subjects
Domestic waste; Northern Ireland
Date
25 April 2007
Reference
133926; 459 c1128W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had in the last 12 months with Ministers from the government of the Republic of Ireland on illegal dumping in Northern Ireland of waste from the Republic of Ireland.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had in the last 12 months with Ministers from the government of the Republic of Ireland on illegal dumping in Northern Ireland of waste from the Republic of Ireland.
Asked by
David Simpson
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 April 2007
For answer on
24 April 2007
Answered on
25 April 2007
I discussed the matter of illegal cross-border waste movements at a meeting with Dick Roche, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in Ireland on 2 October 2006. Issues discussed, including enhanced co-operation between the relevant authorities on illegal waste movements, are being carried forward by officials in both jurisdictions.
Subjects
Fly-tipping; Northern Ireland
Date
25 April 2007
Reference
133925; 459 c1129W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what powers and responsibilities he intends to devolve to councils in Northern Ireland.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what powers and responsibilities he intends to devolve to councils in Northern Ireland.
Asked by
Sarah McCarthy-Fry
(Labour)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
17 April 2007
For answer on
25 April 2007
Answered on
25 April 2007
Details are set out in statements made on 22 November 2005, Official Report, columns 106-111WS and on 21 March 2006, Official Report, columns 17-19WS.
Subjects
Local government; Northern Ireland
Date
25 April 2007
Reference
132683; 459 c1129-30W
House
House of Commons
(3) if he will allocate funding to provide pedestrian crossing on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court;
(3) if he will allocate funding to provide pedestrian crossing on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court;
Asked by
Lady Hermon
(Ulster Unionist Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
17 April 2007
For answer on
19 April 2007
Answered on
25 April 2007
The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question.Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 24 April 2007:"You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 4 Parliamentary Questions regarding:""how many complaints his Department has received about the lack of pedestrian crossing provision on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court. (133111)""what assessment he has made of the health and safety implications of the lack of pedestrian crossing provision on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court. (133115)""if he will allocate funding to provide pedestrian crossing on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court. (133116)""what the (a) date, (b) time, (c) duration and (d) nature was of surveys carried out on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near Montgomery Court, in order to assess the need or a pedestrian crossing in the provision of this location. (133389)""As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.""I should explain that Roads Service’s policy in relation to pedestrian crossings is to provide such facilities where there is an identifiable need and where the conditions at any potential site make it difficult for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road. An integral part of the process is an assessment of the ‘demand’ and ‘difficulty’ of crossing the road at the location concerned. The initial part of our assessment process uses the number of pedestrians (the initial demand factor) and the volume of traffic (the initial difficulty factor) to give an indication of the potential ‘conflict’ at a site. The assessment of the need for a crossing is then supplemented using a scorecard, which assigns scores to various other ‘demand’ and ‘difficulty’ factors, including collision history at the site. This policy is designed to assess the need and to prioritise locations where pedestrians encounter difficulties in crossing the road due to the high volumes of vehicular traffic. This is applied consistently and impartially when assessing all requests in Northern Ireland, so that available funding can be directed at those with the greatest need.""With regard to the number of complaints received in relation to the lack of crossing facilities on the High Donaghadee Road between the roundabout with the East Circular road and the junction with the Ballycrochan Road, I can advise that since September 2005, five individuals have corresponded with Roads Service over this issue. In total these five people have written on nine occasions, with one resident including a petition of approximately 150 signatures. Roads Service has no record of complaints about the lack of pedestrian crossing facilities at this location prior to 2005.""In relation to health and safety implications, I am advised that survey observations, obtained as part of the process for determining the need for a controlled pedestrian crossing facility, concluded that there were a very small number of pedestrians wishing to cross the road at this location and as such, it was considered that there was little conflict between pedestrians and vehicular traffic.""In light of the survey findings, I am afraid that it is not possible to make funding available for a controlled pedestrian crossing facility at this location at this time. However, in such circumstances Roads Service may consider other measures to assist pedestrians, such as footway build-outs and central refuge islands, which shorten the crossing width and improve visibility thereby reducing the crossing difficulty. Central refuges can be particularly useful to vulnerable pedestrians such as elderly people.""I am pleased to advise you that Roads Service is presently designing such a scheme for this location. However, I have to stress that this proposal is at a very early stage and will require a degree of public consultation prior to the detailed layout being finalised. Hopefully we will be able to complete this work within the current financial year.""Finally, with regard to your enquiry for details of the surveys, I can advise that they were carried out on the High Donaghadee Road, between Ballymaconnell Road South and Ballycrochan Road, on 7 September 2005 between 8 and 10 am, on 3 October 2005 between 2 and 4 pm and on 5 October 2005 between 4 and 6 pm. Surveys were also carried out on the High Donaghadee Road, between Ashford Drive and Kilmaine Road, on 9 November 2005 between 4 and 6 pm and on 10 November 2005 between 8 and 10 am. These surveys involved the counting of vehicles passing along the High Donaghadee Road and the numbers of pedestrians crossing within 50m either side of the centre of the survey zone."
Subjects
Pedestrian crossings; Bangor (County Down)
Date
25 April 2007
Reference
133116; 459 c1130-2W
House
House of Commons
(2) what assessment he has made of the health and safety implications of the lack of pedestrian crossing provision on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court;
(2) what assessment he has made of the health and safety implications of the lack of pedestrian crossing provision on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court;
Asked by
Lady Hermon
(Ulster Unionist Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
17 April 2007
For answer on
19 April 2007
Answered on
25 April 2007
The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question.Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 24 April 2007:"You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 4 Parliamentary Questions regarding:""how many complaints his Department has received about the lack of pedestrian crossing provision on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court. (133111)""what assessment he has made of the health and safety implications of the lack of pedestrian crossing provision on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court. (133115)""if he will allocate funding to provide pedestrian crossing on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court. (133116)""what the (a) date, (b) time, (c) duration and (d) nature was of surveys carried out on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near Montgomery Court, in order to assess the need or a pedestrian crossing in the provision of this location. (133389)""As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.""I should explain that Roads Service’s policy in relation to pedestrian crossings is to provide such facilities where there is an identifiable need and where the conditions at any potential site make it difficult for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road. An integral part of the process is an assessment of the ‘demand’ and ‘difficulty’ of crossing the road at the location concerned. The initial part of our assessment process uses the number of pedestrians (the initial demand factor) and the volume of traffic (the initial difficulty factor) to give an indication of the potential ‘conflict’ at a site. The assessment of the need for a crossing is then supplemented using a scorecard, which assigns scores to various other ‘demand’ and ‘difficulty’ factors, including collision history at the site. This policy is designed to assess the need and to prioritise locations where pedestrians encounter difficulties in crossing the road due to the high volumes of vehicular traffic. This is applied consistently and impartially when assessing all requests in Northern Ireland, so that available funding can be directed at those with the greatest need.""With regard to the number of complaints received in relation to the lack of crossing facilities on the High Donaghadee Road between the roundabout with the East Circular road and the junction with the Ballycrochan Road, I can advise that since September 2005, five individuals have corresponded with Roads Service over this issue. In total these five people have written on nine occasions, with one resident including a petition of approximately 150 signatures. Roads Service has no record of complaints about the lack of pedestrian crossing facilities at this location prior to 2005.""In relation to health and safety implications, I am advised that survey observations, obtained as part of the process for determining the need for a controlled pedestrian crossing facility, concluded that there were a very small number of pedestrians wishing to cross the road at this location and as such, it was considered that there was little conflict between pedestrians and vehicular traffic.""In light of the survey findings, I am afraid that it is not possible to make funding available for a controlled pedestrian crossing facility at this location at this time. However, in such circumstances Roads Service may consider other measures to assist pedestrians, such as footway build-outs and central refuge islands, which shorten the crossing width and improve visibility thereby reducing the crossing difficulty. Central refuges can be particularly useful to vulnerable pedestrians such as elderly people.""I am pleased to advise you that Roads Service is presently designing such a scheme for this location. However, I have to stress that this proposal is at a very early stage and will require a degree of public consultation prior to the detailed layout being finalised. Hopefully we will be able to complete this work within the current financial year.""Finally, with regard to your enquiry for details of the surveys, I can advise that they were carried out on the High Donaghadee Road, between Ballymaconnell Road South and Ballycrochan Road, on 7 September 2005 between 8 and 10 am, on 3 October 2005 between 2 and 4 pm and on 5 October 2005 between 4 and 6 pm. Surveys were also carried out on the High Donaghadee Road, between Ashford Drive and Kilmaine Road, on 9 November 2005 between 4 and 6 pm and on 10 November 2005 between 8 and 10 am. These surveys involved the counting of vehicles passing along the High Donaghadee Road and the numbers of pedestrians crossing within 50m either side of the centre of the survey zone."
Subjects
Pedestrian crossings; Bangor (County Down)
Date
25 April 2007
Reference
133115; 459 c1130-2W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many complaints his Department has received about the lack of pedestrian crossing provision on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court;
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many complaints his Department has received about the lack of pedestrian crossing provision on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court;
Asked by
Lady Hermon
(Ulster Unionist Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
17 April 2007
For answer on
19 April 2007
Answered on
25 April 2007
The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question.Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 24 April 2007:"You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 4 Parliamentary Questions regarding:""how many complaints his Department has received about the lack of pedestrian crossing provision on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court. (133111)""what assessment he has made of the health and safety implications of the lack of pedestrian crossing provision on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court. (133115)""if he will allocate funding to provide pedestrian crossing on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court. (133116)""what the (a) date, (b) time, (c) duration and (d) nature was of surveys carried out on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near Montgomery Court, in order to assess the need or a pedestrian crossing in the provision of this location. (133389)""As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.""I should explain that Roads Service’s policy in relation to pedestrian crossings is to provide such facilities where there is an identifiable need and where the conditions at any potential site make it difficult for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road. An integral part of the process is an assessment of the ‘demand’ and ‘difficulty’ of crossing the road at the location concerned. The initial part of our assessment process uses the number of pedestrians (the initial demand factor) and the volume of traffic (the initial difficulty factor) to give an indication of the potential ‘conflict’ at a site. The assessment of the need for a crossing is then supplemented using a scorecard, which assigns scores to various other ‘demand’ and ‘difficulty’ factors, including collision history at the site. This policy is designed to assess the need and to prioritise locations where pedestrians encounter difficulties in crossing the road due to the high volumes of vehicular traffic. This is applied consistently and impartially when assessing all requests in Northern Ireland, so that available funding can be directed at those with the greatest need.""With regard to the number of complaints received in relation to the lack of crossing facilities on the High Donaghadee Road between the roundabout with the East Circular road and the junction with the Ballycrochan Road, I can advise that since September 2005, five individuals have corresponded with Roads Service over this issue. In total these five people have written on nine occasions, with one resident including a petition of approximately 150 signatures. Roads Service has no record of complaints about the lack of pedestrian crossing facilities at this location prior to 2005.""In relation to health and safety implications, I am advised that survey observations, obtained as part of the process for determining the need for a controlled pedestrian crossing facility, concluded that there were a very small number of pedestrians wishing to cross the road at this location and as such, it was considered that there was little conflict between pedestrians and vehicular traffic.""In light of the survey findings, I am afraid that it is not possible to make funding available for a controlled pedestrian crossing facility at this location at this time. However, in such circumstances Roads Service may consider other measures to assist pedestrians, such as footway build-outs and central refuge islands, which shorten the crossing width and improve visibility thereby reducing the crossing difficulty. Central refuges can be particularly useful to vulnerable pedestrians such as elderly people.""I am pleased to advise you that Roads Service is presently designing such a scheme for this location. However, I have to stress that this proposal is at a very early stage and will require a degree of public consultation prior to the detailed layout being finalised. Hopefully we will be able to complete this work within the current financial year.""Finally, with regard to your enquiry for details of the surveys, I can advise that they were carried out on the High Donaghadee Road, between Ballymaconnell Road South and Ballycrochan Road, on 7 September 2005 between 8 and 10 am, on 3 October 2005 between 2 and 4 pm and on 5 October 2005 between 4 and 6 pm. Surveys were also carried out on the High Donaghadee Road, between Ashford Drive and Kilmaine Road, on 9 November 2005 between 4 and 6 pm and on 10 November 2005 between 8 and 10 am. These surveys involved the counting of vehicles passing along the High Donaghadee Road and the numbers of pedestrians crossing within 50m either side of the centre of the survey zone."
Subjects
Pedestrian crossings; Bangor (County Down)
Date
25 April 2007
Reference
133111; 459 c1130-2W
House
House of Commons
(4) what the (a) date, (b) time, (c) duration and (d) nature was of each survey carried out on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near Montgomery Court, in order to assess the need for a pedestrian crossing in the provision at this location;
(4) what the (a) date, (b) time, (c) duration and (d) nature was of each survey carried out on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near Montgomery Court, in order to assess the need for a pedestrian crossing in the provision at this location;
Asked by
Lady Hermon
(Ulster Unionist Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
18 April 2007
For answer on
20 April 2007
Answered on
25 April 2007
The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question.Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 24 April 2007:"You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 4 Parliamentary Questions regarding:""how many complaints his Department has received about the lack of pedestrian crossing provision on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court. (133111)""what assessment he has made of the health and safety implications of the lack of pedestrian crossing provision on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court. (133115)""if he will allocate funding to provide pedestrian crossing on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near to Montgomery Court. (133116)""what the (a) date, (b) time, (c) duration and (d) nature was of surveys carried out on the High Donaghadee Road in Bangor, near Montgomery Court, in order to assess the need or a pedestrian crossing in the provision of this location. (133389)""As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.""I should explain that Roads Service’s policy in relation to pedestrian crossings is to provide such facilities where there is an identifiable need and where the conditions at any potential site make it difficult for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road. An integral part of the process is an assessment of the ‘demand’ and ‘difficulty’ of crossing the road at the location concerned. The initial part of our assessment process uses the number of pedestrians (the initial demand factor) and the volume of traffic (the initial difficulty factor) to give an indication of the potential ‘conflict’ at a site. The assessment of the need for a crossing is then supplemented using a scorecard, which assigns scores to various other ‘demand’ and ‘difficulty’ factors, including collision history at the site. This policy is designed to assess the need and to prioritise locations where pedestrians encounter difficulties in crossing the road due to the high volumes of vehicular traffic. This is applied consistently and impartially when assessing all requests in Northern Ireland, so that available funding can be directed at those with the greatest need.""With regard to the number of complaints received in relation to the lack of crossing facilities on the High Donaghadee Road between the roundabout with the East Circular road and the junction with the Ballycrochan Road, I can advise that since September 2005, five individuals have corresponded with Roads Service over this issue. In total these five people have written on nine occasions, with one resident including a petition of approximately 150 signatures. Roads Service has no record of complaints about the lack of pedestrian crossing facilities at this location prior to 2005.""In relation to health and safety implications, I am advised that survey observations, obtained as part of the process for determining the need for a controlled pedestrian crossing facility, concluded that there were a very small number of pedestrians wishing to cross the road at this location and as such, it was considered that there was little conflict between pedestrians and vehicular traffic.""In light of the survey findings, I am afraid that it is not possible to make funding available for a controlled pedestrian crossing facility at this location at this time. However, in such circumstances Roads Service may consider other measures to assist pedestrians, such as footway build-outs and central refuge islands, which shorten the crossing width and improve visibility thereby reducing the crossing difficulty. Central refuges can be particularly useful to vulnerable pedestrians such as elderly people.""I am pleased to advise you that Roads Service is presently designing such a scheme for this location. However, I have to stress that this proposal is at a very early stage and will require a degree of public consultation prior to the detailed layout being finalised. Hopefully we will be able to complete this work within the current financial year.""Finally, with regard to your enquiry for details of the surveys, I can advise that they were carried out on the High Donaghadee Road, between Ballymaconnell Road South and Ballycrochan Road, on 7 September 2005 between 8 and 10 am, on 3 October 2005 between 2 and 4 pm and on 5 October 2005 between 4 and 6 pm. Surveys were also carried out on the High Donaghadee Road, between Ashford Drive and Kilmaine Road, on 9 November 2005 between 4 and 6 pm and on 10 November 2005 between 8 and 10 am. These surveys involved the counting of vehicles passing along the High Donaghadee Road and the numbers of pedestrians crossing within 50m either side of the centre of the survey zone."
Subjects
Pedestrian crossings; Bangor (County Down)
Date
25 April 2007
Reference
133389; 459 c1130-2W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his answer of 6 April 2007, Official Report, column 196W, on graffiti, for what reasons the Department of the Environment does not hold information on the cost of removing graffiti.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his answer of 6 April 2007, Official Report, column 196W, on graffiti, for what reasons the Department of the Environment does not hold information on the cost of removing graffiti.
Asked by
Lady Hermon
(Ulster Unionist Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
18 April 2007
For answer on
20 April 2007
Answered on
24 April 2007
Under Article 18 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 it is for district councils to decide whether or not to remove graffiti. They do not, therefore, have a duty to remove it and there is no requirement on the Department of the Environment to collect data on graffiti removal costs. The information may be held by individual district councils.
Subjects
Graffiti; Northern Ireland
Date
24 April 2007
Reference
133230; 459 c1064W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many planning applications (a) to construct and (b) to add to existing telecommunications masts in each council area of Northern Ireland were approved in the last 12 months.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many planning applications (a) to construct and (b) to add to existing telecommunications masts in each council area of Northern Ireland were approved in the last 12 months.
Asked by
David Simpson
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 April 2007
For answer on
17 April 2007
Answered on
20 April 2007
The Department of the Environment's Planning Service approved 155 planning applications for telecommunications masts between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2007 and the following table shows the number approved in each district council area. I regret Planning Service's electronic records system does not provide a distinction between an application for the construction of a mast and an addition to an existing mast.
| District council area | Planning approvals in 2006-07 |
| Antrim | 4 |
| Ards | 4 |
| Armagh | 2 |
| Ballymena | 5 |
| Ballymoney | 2 |
| Banbridge | 2 |
| Belfast | 26 |
| Carrickfergus | 3 |
| Castlereagh | 6 |
| Coleraine | 7 |
| Cookstown | 1 |
| Craigavon | 6 |
| Derry | 12 |
| Down | 5 |
| Dungannon | 7 |
| Fermanagh | 3 |
| Larne | 1 |
| Limavady | 1 |
| Lisburn | 12 |
| Magherafelt | 3 |
| Moyle | 0 |
| Newry and Mourne | 8 |
| Newtownabbey | 4 |
| North Down | 8 |
| Omagh | 14 |
| Strabane | 9 |
| Total | 155 |
Subjects
Aerials; Northern Ireland
Date
20 April 2007
Reference
132188; 459 c847W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the operating costs of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland was in each of the last six years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the operating costs of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland was in each of the last six years.
Asked by
Lady Hermon
(Ulster Unionist Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
17 April 2007
For answer on
19 April 2007
Answered on
20 April 2007
The operating cost of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland in each of the last six years was as follows:
| Amount (£000) | |
| 2000-01 | 11,329 |
| 2001-02 | 12,169 |
| 2002-03 | 13,713 |
| 2003-04 | 15,514 |
| 2004-05 | 17,091 |
| 2005-06 | 18,511 |
Subjects
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland
Date
20 April 2007
Reference
133029; 459 c848W
House
House of Commons
(2) what the status is of the septic tank emptying agreements between Northern Ireland Water and households in Northern Ireland; what direct communication the households concerned have received on the alteration of the agreements; and if he will make a statement.
(2) what the status is of the septic tank emptying agreements between Northern Ireland Water and households in Northern Ireland; what direct communication the households concerned have received on the alteration of the agreements; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Mark Durkan
(Social Democratic & Labour Party)
Answered by
David Cairns
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
18 April 2007
For answer on
20 April 2007
Answered on
20 April 2007
The Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006 transferred responsibility for the delivery of water and sewerage services from the Department’s Water Service Agency to a statutory water and sewerage undertaker. A government-owned company, Northern Ireland Water (NIW) has been appointed as the undertaker and the issues raised are operational matters for it. I have asked the Chief Executive of NIW (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to these questions.
Subjects
Northern Ireland Water
Date
20 April 2007
Reference
133316; 459 c855W
House
House of Commons