HL Deb 15 July 1986 vol 478 cc791-3

2.44 p.m.

Lord Brougham and Vaux

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many miles of motorway and trunk roads were renewed in 1985–86 and how many miles are expected to be renewed in 1986–87.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, 70 miles of motorways and 145 miles of trunk road were renewed in 1985–86, and we expect to renew at least 80 miles of motorway and 185 miles of trunk road in 1986–87.

Lord Brougham and Vaux

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. How much did we spend on capital maintenance of motorways and trunk roads in 1985–86? How much is being planned for 1986–87? May I also ask my noble friend what is the extent of motorway repairs to be carried out during the summer?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, in 1985–86 we spent £127 million on capital maintenance and this year we are planning to spend £156 million, an increase of 23 per cent. My noble friend's second supplementary question was to do with our plans for this year. There are 30 major motorway renewal schemes planned to be under way for at least some of the time between now and the end of September. These works cover the renewal of 74 miles of motorway, and the total cost is £78 million.

Lord Orr-Ewing

My Lords, can my noble friend tell us how the scheme to charge people who are doing repairs to motorways according to the number and extent of lane closures is working out? Could he bear in mind that there is still a desire to cone off miles and miles of carriageway, particularly in the fast lane, and that then, after travelling five miles, you find just one vehicle renewing a light? Is this really economical use of very expensive carriageway?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, cones are required for various reasons which are not always obvious: to protect concrete which is still curing; to protect excavated areas or damaged safety fences; to provide a safety zone for workmen, and to provide access for contractors' or emergency vehicles. Nevertheless, we have reminded our agents to remove cones as soon as is practicable and also to make use of daytime work more than the night.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, despite the first Answer which the noble Viscount gave, is he aware that the 1985 national road maintenance survey showed that there had been a deterioration in the condition of trunk roads since 1982, and that the condition in 1985 was significantly worse than in 1984 and significantly worse than in 1977, when the national surveys first started? Is it not the case that the standing committee on highway maintenance complained of the shortage of finance for the maintenance of roads over the past five years and that in March two press notices from the Department of Transport stated that the Minister concerned, Mr. Peter Bottomley, had said that the elimination of the problem could not take place until the early 1990s? Is there not therefore a case for greater expenditure on this matter?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, there have been backlogs, but since 1979 the annual mileage of motorways renewed each year has been doubled. By continuing to spend at the present level we should eliminate the backlog of maintenance on both motorways and trunk roads within five or six years.

The Earl of Kimberley

My Lords, can my noble friend say how much longer it will take to turn the dual carriageway section of the M.5 into a three-lane section? They have been at it for a very long time already.

Viscount Davidson

I am afraid I cannot, my Lords. However, I shall write to my noble friend.

Lord Mackie of Benshie

My Lords, is the Minister satisfied that he is spending enough on trunk road crossing places? On a double track trunk road in the county of Angus a number of people have been killed and there have been far too many accidents involving people crossing the double track, because there is not enough space. Does he not think that perhaps more roundabouts are indicated for these crossing places on trunk roads? I am not talking about motorways.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I am afraid I do not know the example that the noble Lord speaks about, but I shall bring it to the attention of the department.

Lord Hankey

My Lords, will the Government encourage the doubling of the Dartford Tunnel, which is likely to lead to very great congestion if it is not remedied soon?

Viscount Davidson

I think that is another question, my Lords.

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