HC Deb 19 May 1986 vol 98 cc26-7W
42. Mr. Waller

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the cost of constructing one mile of three-lane motorway now; and what was the equivalent cost in real terms in 1979.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Motorway construction costs vary substantially, depending an factors such as location and the need for structures, so that average costs of construction per mile in individual years cannot usefully be compared.

The roads output index measures changes in the costs of building motorways and trunk roads. Between 1980–81 and 1985–86, it increased by only about 1 per cent. equivalent to a fall of about 25 per cent. in real terms as measured by the GDP deflator.