§ 54. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Minister of Transport the mileage of the Edinburgh-Glasgow road now completed and in use, the mileage being worked at and the mileage to be yet started on; and if any delay is taking place and the reason for it, and the total cost so far and the estimated cost on completion?
§ Sir V. HENDERSONI have been asked to reply as the Minister has been called away. As the answer is rather long and contains figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ Of the total length of 39½ miles, 27 miles are completed, but of this length 11 miles cannot he brought into use until certain bridges are constructed. Five miles are under construction and the remaining7½ miles of reconstruction of an existing road will shortly be put in hand. The total estimated cost is about £2,200,000, of which amount approximately £1,100,000 has already been expended. The constructional work on the7½ miles referred to above has been intentionally delayed until the cost of the remaining sections could be more closely determined. Negotiations have been proceeding for some considerable time with one of the railway companies in respect of the construction of 12 bridges. I have reason to believe that these negotiations are about to reach definite conclusion, and that it will be possible to invite tenders for their construction in the near future.