HC Deb 02 February 1987 vol 109 c520W
20. Mr. Stevens

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if there has been any improvement in the time taken to repair motorways.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Yes. The increasing use of lane rental contracts has produced a dramatic improvement. In 1985–86 lane rental contracts were completed on average 38 per cent. faster than normally expected. They produced a saving of about 500 days of traffic delay worth over £8 million to the nation.

Conventional contracts are also being completed more quickly.

We currently apply lane rental to most major maintenance schemes on our motorways.