HC Deb 15 October 1975 vol 897 cc1341-3
6. Mr. Hurd

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will commission an independent assessment of the current motorway building programme.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Neil Carmichael)

No, Sir. Every motorway scheme receives an exhaustive assessment before it is built.

Mr. Hurd

Does the Minister agree that there has been serious criticism of the assumptions of fact on which these schemes are based, in particular on the assumptions of industrial growth, population growth and fuel costs contained in the laboratory report produced by his Department last year? At this time of great stringency would it not be sensible for someone with a fresh eye and unbiased approach to take a new look at this expenditure of hundreds of millions of pounds each year?

Mr. Carmichael

The hon. Gentleman should realise that the Department is continually under pressure from hon. Members and other bodies. We are continually reassessing and re-examining the road programme. At present we are assessing the effect on the levels of traffic of the new fuel prices, the different rates of economic growth which are now forecast, and the latest population forecasts. The present indications are that the new forecasts will not differ significantly from the existing ones.

Mr. Whitehead

When are we to have a definitive view from the Department on the consultative document on heavy lorry routes, as in the Midlands, at least—and probably in many other areas—we are having a duplication between proposed heavy lorry routes and proposed motorways? We do not mind a duplication of paper, but we do mind a duplication of concrete.

Mr. Carmichael

I do not like the duplication of paper, either. My hon. Friend should realise that the full programme of lorry routes—this is perhaps a reflection of the pressure to which we are subject—is unlikely to be completed as was originally envisaged when the Private Member's Bill went through in 1972.

Mr. Fox

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some of us cannot accept what he said? His Department's figures, issued recently, show a decline in traffic in 1974 compared with 1973, which is the first time that has happened in nearly 20 years. In view of that fact, will he assure us that he will look at the projected traffic figures on which new roads are based?

Mr. Carmichael

The hon. Gentleman, of all people, should know that we look at projected traffic figures. Some time ago it was intimated to my right hon. Friend that the standard of roads would be adjusted because of this trend. In many cases we are now building dual two-lane instead of dual three-lane roads. Nevertheless, the figures seem to bear out firmly that the traffic on the roads is related more to economic growth than things like the cost of fuel.

Mr. Jay

Will my hon. Friend consider making a statement on the legal powers of the so-called road construction units, as there is a feeling in many areas that these are in danger of becoming local dictators, with no clear responsibility to anybody?

Mr. Carmichael

If my right hon. Friend has any specific information that he can give me on this matter I shall be only too pleased to examine it and put it to my right hon. Friend for further consideration on the lines which have been stated by my right hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay).