HC Deb 09 March 1977 vol 927 cc573-5W
59. Mr. Fitch

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average cost per mile of a dual three-lane motorway, a dual two-lane motorway and all motorway contracts let in the last available period.

Mr. William Rodgers

Construction costs vary widely depending on the nature of the terrain through which the motorway passes. On rural motorway schemes, for which contracts were let between 1st January 1976 and 31st December 1976 costs were in the range of £1.44 million to £2.75 million per mile for dual three-lane motorways, with a mean of £1.61 million per mile, and in the range of £0.96 million to £1.83 million per mile for dual two-lane motorways with a mean of £1.27 million per mile. For all motorway contracts let during 1976 the mean cost was £1.41 million per mile.

Costs of land acquisition and rehousing are excluded from these figures. These costs also vary widely and can account for 10 per cent. or more of the overall costs of rural schemes.

Mr. Fitch

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average cost per mile of dual three-lane, dual two-lane and all dual carriageway contracts let in the last available period.

Mr. William Rodgers

Construction costs vary widely depending on the nature of the terrain through which the road passes. On schemes for which contracts were let between 1st January 1976 and 31st December 1976 costs for dual two lane all purpose trunk roads were in the range of £0.56 million to £1.5 million per mile with a mean of £1 million per mile. No dual three lane all purpose trunk road contracts were let in the same period. For all dual carriageway all purpose trunk road contracts let during 1976 the mean cost was £1 million per mile.

Taking motorway construction into account, for the same period costs for dual two lane roads were in the range of £0.56 million to £1.83 million per mile with a mean of £1.11 million per mile, and in the range of £1.44 million to £2.75 million per mile for dual three lane roads with a mean of £1.61 million per mile. For all contracts let during 1976 the mean cost was £1.22 million per mile.

Cost of land acquisition and rehousing are excluded from these figures. These costs vary widely and can account for 10 per cent. or more of the overall costs of rural schemes.