🚧 Transport (Duty to Cooperate)

• Purpose of the Bill: Dr Ben Spencer proposed a Bill to mandate cooperation among transport authorities and utility providers to minimize transport disruptions in Runnymede and Weybridge.

• Key Issues Addressed: The Bill aims to tackle problems arising from overlapping planned and emergency works, which cause significant disruptions to road and rail transport. It focuses on better coordination and communication to prevent multiple simultaneous works and recurring disruptions.

• Examples of Local Disruptions: Dr Spencer cited instances where essential routes like the M25 and main rail lines faced closures at the same time, and repeated road excavations by different utilities in Chertsey and other areas, leading to significant local disruption.

• Acknowledgements and Local Efforts: The MP thanked Surrey County Council and Councillor Jonathan Hulley for their efforts in improving local road network coordination. A new taskforce has been established to enhance communication and coordination of road works.

• Proposals and Calls for Action: Surrey County Council, along with other organizations, has called for changes in digital services to allow better planning of emergency works, mandatory on-site signage, and swift completion of works to minimize disruption.

• Scope of the Bill: The proposed Bill would enforce a statutory duty on transport authorities to coordinate and assess the impacts of their actions on the transport network, ensuring better planning and communication.

• Economic Impact: Dr Spencer highlighted the economic cost of transport disruptions, estimating that delays on the National Highways network alone cost £3 billion annually, not including local road network delays.

• Future Steps: The Bill was successfully introduced and passed its First Reading. It is scheduled for its Second Reading on 25 April, with hopes of gaining further support to enhance the effectiveness of the UK’s transport infrastructure.

The session shows minimal to no disagreement. Dr. Ben Spencer presented a motion for a Bill to enhance cooperation among transport authorities to minimize disruptions. The entire transcript is focused on the introduction and explanation of the Bill by Dr. Spencer without any interruptions or opposing views from other members. Key phrases such as ‘Question put and agreed to’ indicate unanimous consent without any recorded dissenting opinions or debates. Examples of disagreement are not present in the transcript; instead, there are mentions of support from local councils and a call for governmental and parliamentary backing for the Bill. The lack of contention and the immediate agreement to the motion suggest a very low level of disagreement, thus warranting a rating of 1 out of 5.