§ Mr. William Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is now the average daily and hourly traffic flow across the new Foyle bridge and the Craigavon bridge, respectively; what are the daily and hourly capacities of these two bridges; and when he expects that capacity to be reached.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe information is as follows:
Average flow Design capacity Foyle bridge: vehicles per day 10,000 30,000 vehicles per hour 730 5,000 Craigavon bridge: vehicles per day 26,000 40,000 vehicles per hour 2,130 6,000 It is not expected that either bridge will reach its capacity before the end of the century.
§ Mr. William Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the final construction cost of the new Foyle bridge; what further sums were expended on ancillary works such as approach roads and roundabouts; and how these sums compare with the various estimates made when the scheme was first proposed.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe final accounts are not yet available but the costs are estimated to be £23.9 million for the bridge, and £3 million for approach roads. These figures represent a reduction in constant price terms from the pre-construction estimates.
§ Mr. William Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total sums or approximate sums spent on steelwork purchased for the new Foyle bridge; and, of these, how much was spent in Londonderry city.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe total cost of fabrication, transportation and erection of steel for the Foyle bridge was approximately £10.4 million. It is not possible to quantify the proportion of this expenditure spent in Londonderry city.
§ Mr. William Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many engineering firms in Londonderry city were invited to submit tenders for items required for the new Foyle bridge; and how many engineering firms from Londonderry city submitted tenders for such work.
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§ Mr. Chris PattenThis is a matter for the contractors involved.
§ Mr. William Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what preference was given to local firms in Londonderry city for the supply of items needed for the new Foyle bridge.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe contractual arrangements between the main contractor for the Foyle bridge and the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland specified that preference should be given to the use of materials and fittings manufactured or originating in Northern Ireland, provided they complied with he contract specification and were readily available at competitive prices.