§ 1. Mr. CouchmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the amount of time saved by motorists since lane rental was introduced.
§ The Minister for Roads and Traffic (Mr. Kenneth Carlisle)Lane rental contracts have, on average, been completed 30 per cent. faster than conventional contracts since their introduction in 1984, and we estimate that that has saved more than £120 million in delay and other costs.
§ Mr. CouchmanMy hon. Friend and I are probably more at one on lane rental than we will be on line rental later today. Coming as I do from cone county in Kent, I ask my hon. Friend to reassure the House that when he decides on major works on the A20/M20 and A2/M2— which are parallel roads—he will make certain that the works are staggered and that interconnecting roads between those two major highways are not subject to road works at the same time.
§ Mr. CarlisleMy hon. Friend makes an important point. I am sorry if there is any congestion in Kent, but it is partly caused by our determination to get those roads finished in time for the opening of the channel tunnel. Lane rental has a considerable amount to offer. A maintenance contract that used to last one month will be reduced by 10 days by lane rental, which makes a huge contribution to cutting congestion and reducing frustration among local people.