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Mr. Spellar
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action his Department is taking to encourage the use of recycled materials in road building. [37044]
Mr. Watts
This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter for Lawrie Haynes to Mr. John Spellar, dated 16 October 1995:
The Minister of Railways and Roads, Mr John Watts, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning action being taken to encourage use of recycled materials in road building.
Wherever practical, the Highways Agency seeks to provide the opportunity in trunk road contracts for including recycled materials. There is already considerable scope for recycling and extension of this is being investigated as part of the Agency's research programme. A recent change has increased the permitted proportion of many reclaimed bituminous materials from 10 to 30 per cent. In June, the Agency published new advice on the conservation and use of reclaimed materials in road construction and maintenance which highlights the scope for reuse and recycling and is aimed at encouraging a greater awareness of the opportunities available.