asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Traffic Management Act 2004 has reduced the impact of roadworks on bus operation. [HL5347]

In April, certain provisions of the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the associated regulations came into force. These increased local authorities' powers to direct when works by statutory undertakers may take place and where apparatus may be placed, as well as allowing authorities to operate a permit scheme, with the Secretary of State for Transport’s approval, to control all works in the highway.

The Department for Transport has commissioned an assessment of the impact of certain parts of the Traffic Management Act 2004 on congestion for all road users, which is due to be completed in summer 2010.

The department regularly monitors the punctuality of bus services. The latest figures from Bus Punctuality Statistics GB: 2007, available in the Libraries of the House, show some improvements in performance in England (outside London) since the last survey in 2005. However, it is not possible to draw a link between the introduction of the Traffic Management Act 2004 and improved punctuality, as the survey was not designed for this purpose.