§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the estimated cost of the roadworks at the Downlands Corner in Worthing before progress was interrupted, particularly in the light of the Government's official forecast of 15 per cent. inflation in the current year; and what he estimates the costs will be if the work is resumed immediately after the end of the Government moratorium.
§ Mr. HoramWhen the moratorium was imposed the estimated cost of the main roadworks due to start in February 1977 was of the order of £70,000. Road construction costs do not generally move in line with the retail price index but on the basis of an annual rate of inflation of 15 per cent. the additional costs of a four-month delay from February to June would be about £3,500.
§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the seasonal variation in traffic across the A27—Downlands Corner Junction in Worthing between January 15W and July and the likely effect of this on the cost of the delayed road works.
§ Mr. HoramThe volume of traffic using the A27 across the Downlands Corner junction is likely to be some 25 per cent. higher in July than in January. The effect of this on the roadworks cost is likely to be small.