§ 1. Mr. Snowasked the Minister of Transport what proposal he has to extend catering facilities on the M1; whether he is aware that the existing provision of public conveniences is very unsatisfactory; and what steps he is taking to improve them.
§ Mr. MarplesI have recently invited tenders for developing catering and other facilities at the Toddington site four miles north of the A.505 junction. I am also considering detailed proposals for extension of some of the facilities already available. Many additional lavatories have recently been provided at the southernmost of the two existing service areas and there are proposals to provide even more.
§ 41. Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Transport what was the cost per mile of the construction of M1 to its present boundary; and what is the estimated cost per mile of the extensions now under construction.
§ Mr. MarplesThe average cost of the length of M1 already constructed, including land, was approximately £407,000 per mile. The estimated average cost per mile, including land, of continuing this route, as motorway M6 from Dunston to Preston bypass, is approximately £699,000. There have been general rises in tender rates. The figure also reflects the cost of three major viaducts, poor soil conditions along part of the route, and improved standards embodied in the design.
§ 49. Mr. Hockingasked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to ascertain the number of statutorily reportable cases of injury at the junction of the Birmingham spur with the M1.
§ Mr. HayDuring the first two years of operation of the London-Birmingham motorway, four personal injury accidents were reported to the police as occurring at the junction of the Birmingham spur with the M1. In these accidents three people were seriously injured and three were slightly injured.