Traffic Management Permit Scheme (England) Regulations 2007

Again, we welcome these regulations. This sort of scheme could reduce congestion considerably, and anything that reduces congestion reduces carbon emissions and improves quality of life. The AA has estimated that on any one day 4 million holes are dug in this country. If that number can be reduced so that things work better, then we will have achieved something. I think we all want to work towards that. I totally support the general thrust of the regulations. I almost wish that it was mandatory for local authorities to take part in the scheme and I hope that most of them will. There would be a slight problem if one local authority took it up but a neighbouring one did not when a new sewage or water system was being put through the two authorities. It has been suggested that that could be dealt with through the new multi-area agreements between local authorities, which will come into force under different legislation. It will obviously make sense for two or three local authorities to work together when they are all involved in a major scheme. I have a few questions for the Minister. The legislation currently allows up to three months for permit applications to be processed. I come from a local authority background and want to ensure that enough time is allowed in that regard. Could a three-month delay sometimes hold up major infrastructural maintenance and the introduction of new services, particularly to a new estate, for example, which needs new services? Is three months too long for a utility company to wait for a permit? I hope that local authorities can turn round applications quickly, but sometimes we are not allowed three months for a planning application and it might be too long to wait for a permit to be processed. The noble Baroness mentioned that she would look at how the scheme was working after a year. I like to think that the Government will find out whether it is reducing delays, congestion and carbon emissions and whether the utility companies are co-operating with it. I hope that the Government will carry out a comprehensive review after a year, as the Minister mentioned. Has any thought been given to how many local authorities will take up the scheme? As I said earlier, I hope that they all do. I shall certainly encourage them to do so and I hope that the Local Government Association will too. Finally, the fine for non-compliance is only £500. Will a major company doing infrastructure work be deterred from getting on with a big project with a fine of £500? I know that one can resort to the courts and so on, but could there not be more latitude on the level of the fine for non-compliance? It will have very little effect on a £1 billion business. Perhaps the noble Baroness could answer those points. Having said that, we support the thrust of the regulations. We hope that the scheme will work and I shall do my bit to encourage it from a local authority point of view.