Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely effects on congestion of the implementation of lane rental proposals. [71843]

Norman Baker MP; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State: Street works are a significant cause of delay and disruption, contributing to congestion that is estimated to cost over £4 billion a year. A consultation is under way on regulations to enable a small number of targeted pilot schemes to be brought forward, which would inform future assessments of whether lane rental could usefully play a wider role in managing congestion.