HC Deb 02 March 1960 vol 618 cc1213-4
40. Mr. Mapp

asked the Minister of Transport the capital cost and maintenance cost per mile of highway fencing on the M.1 road; and whether, in formulating his proposals for financial assistance to the railways, which now bear the total cost of track fencing, he will consider making a comparable grant.

Mr. Marples

The capital cost of fencing the M.1 road was £3,100 for each mile of highway, and the average annual maintenance cost will be about £40 a mile, but I do not think that this is very relevant to the present financial problem of the railways.

Mr. Mapp

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. Will he bear in mind that the British Transport Commission operates nearly 19,000 track miles? Can he assure us that this example, and other comparable forms of track costs and track signalling costs, of road and rail will be borne in mind in preparing the statement to the House on the B.T.C.'s finances?

Mr. Marples

Every fact will be borne in mind before that statement is made.