§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the principal criteria by which he forecasts the demand for increased road capacity.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe objectives of building roads are to assist economic growth by reducing transport costs, to improve the environment by removing through traffic (especially lorries) from unsuitable roads in towns and villages, and to enhance road safety.
Forecasts of traffic growth, which depends on changes in gross domestic product, changes in fuel prices and 328W changes in people's behaviour over time, are given great weight in the choice and assessment of road improvement schemes.
The cost and feasibility of a particular scheme, its effects on the environment, and its likely effects on the incidence of accidents, are also very relevant.
We are continuously developing the trunk road network through a large new construction and improvement programme, worth some £5 billion, which is reviewed regularly. Schemes are added to this programme as the need is identified.