§ 3. Mr. Roy Hugheshes asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of total trunk road and motorway construction and maintenance expenditure in 1981–82.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke£610 million.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister not concerned about the considerable underspend on this vital work? What is to happen to the £52 million for 1981-82? It will presumably revert to the Treasury. Is that not particularly galling to the Minister, bearing in mind that trunk road schemes amounting to £4,000 million are outstanding? Does he not recognise that the principal reason for opposition to proposals for heavier lorries is that there are not adequate bypasses?
§ Mr. ClarkeI regret that there is an underspend. It has been caused by the very keen contract prices that have been received compared with our estimates and further compounded by the bad weather, which has been delaying road construction. We are nevertheless delivering the roads programme that we promised at less cost to the taxpayer. The spend that we have achieved is 25 per cent. more in cash terms than in the previous year. This serves to underline the Government's efforts to continue to deliver the roads programme to time in future years and to build the roads that the country needs.
§ Mr. ViggersIs it not a tragedy that no figure appears in the current year's expenditure for completion of the M3 near Winchester? Does my hon. and learned Friend recognise that this road is vital for the whole of Hampshire? In giving it priority, I hope that he will not be distracted by the antics of a crowd of upper-class hooligans at Winchester?
§ Mr. ClarkeThe people I would describe as objectors to the scheme were delaying progress on the Popham to Bar End section by issuing a High Court writ challenging the orders made by the Government. I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that I hear that yesterday the writ was withdrawn by the objectors. We hope, therefore, to start construction of that scheme during this year. We are re-examining anxiously the controversial section of the bypass around Winchester. Our consulting engineers are making good progress. I believe that they are achieving a wide measure of agreement. I hope that we shall soon be back on course in replacing a dangerous stretch of road.