To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations from local authorities complaining about the provisions of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 he has received since 1 May 1997. [78057]

While correspondence is received from time to time on specific aspects of the Act and the secondary legislation, including responses to specific proposals to revise regulations and codes of practice, no central record is held of the number and character of the letters received. In co-operation with the Highway Authorities and Utilities Committee, the Department keeps the workings of the Act under constant review, and a number of initiatives are currently under way to improve the operation of the Act's provisions.