§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Transport if he will set out in tabular form, for each region of England, the mileage of motorways constructed up to the latest convenient date, the amount spent on new roads in the last financial year, and the estimated completion programme for further motorways and new roads, including the mileage and estimated costs; and if he will give the corresponding information for Wales.
§ Mr. MarplesRegional figures are not readily available.
At present 292½ miles of motorways are open in England, and I expect that about 570 miles will be open by the end of 1968. No motorway is yet open in Wales, but I expect that 24 miles will be open by the end of 1966. My aim is to complete 1,000 miles of motorway in England and Wales by the early 1970's.
During 1963– 64 the Exchequer spent about £ 108 million on new construction and major improvements of motorways, trunk and classified roads in England and Wales, including about £ 46 million on motorways. Separate figures are not maintained for Wales, but I estimate that expenditure in the Principality amounted to £ 8 million.
During the five years 1965– 70 I estimate that Government expenditure on new construction and major improvement of motorways, trunk and classified roads in England and Wales will amount to £ 915 million. It is not possible at this distance to forecast the mileage that this will represent.