HC Deb 25 March 1981 vol 1 c915
10. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the effects on road maintenance of the proposed motorway and trunk road maintenance expenditure contained in the public expenditure White Paper—Cmnd. 8175.

Mr. Fowler

Next year my Department plans to spend £118 million on maintaining trunk roads and motorways. This is the largest sum ever earmarked for this important service and is £16 million more than last year

That increase will enable us to renew substantial lengths of our older motorways, many of which have already carried a larger tonnage of traffic than they were designed for 20 years ago.

Mr. Wainwright

Does the Secretary of State realise that many of those involved in road transport believe that insufficient money is being spent on motorway and trunk road maintenance? Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that inflation reduces his increased figure by a large amount? Why has trunk road maintenance expenditure been reduced during the past two years from £61 million to £37 million? Is there not a possibility that the condition of the trunk roads is so bad that it may cause danger to traffic?

Mr. Fowler

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman. We are spending more than has ever been spent before on maintaining trunk roads and motorways. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the national road maintenance condition survey for trunk roads which shows that there has not been the deterioration suggested by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Cormack

Will my right hon. Friend tell me when I was last able to travel along the M1 and the M6 without being held up by extensive roadworks? Will he tell me when I shall next be able to travel along the motorways without being held up? Why does he not spend the additional £20 million that he is squandering in my constituency on improving the M1?

Mr. Fowler

The new motorway will help my hon. Friend's mobility problems. He must face the fact that we are seeking to reconstruct the M1 because it has reached the end of its design life. It is sensible to do so. No one could criticise us for seeking to preserve the valuable investment that we have put into that motorway.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Does not the Secretary of State appreciate that one day the Government will make a U-turn and promote economic growth and stimulate the economy? Is he aware that that will result in a greater movement of goods by road and rail? Would it not be a good idea to increase investment now, both in road maintenance and road building, to prepare for that eventuality?

Mr. Fowler

I do not think that the hon. Gentleman heard my reply. The Government are spending more than any other Government have ever spent upon maintaining trunk roads and motorways. Surely that is proof of the commitment for which he is asking.