§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the annual cost of maintaining the railway at the central ordnance depot at Bicester, Oxfordshire; and what steps have been taken to replace the railways by roads, as recommended by the survey team appointed nine years ago.
§ Mr. MarksThe Ministry of Public Building and Works survey team which reported on the Central Ordnance Depot, Bicester in 1968, recommended a joint examination with the Army of the railway system with a view to reducing costs including the practicability of replacing some or all of the railways by roads. For military reasons, substantial change proved to be unacceptable to the Army,392W although worthwhile economies were made. The cost to the Property Services Agency of maintaining the permanent way in 1975–76 was £103,000. The 1966–67 costs of £48,000, updated to 1975–76 prices, become approximately £142,000. The situation is under regular review and was examined by a joint MOD and PSA working party in 1974. The military requirement, however, was found to be substantially unaltered.