§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to increase the rate of implementation of those low cost highway engineering schemes which have been identified for implementation on trunk roads which form part of the backlog of 3,900 low cost schemes identified by the National Audit Office in June.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe 3,900 backlog mentioned by the National Audit Office was on local not trunk roads. As far as trunk roads are concerned, in rephasing new construction schemes this year, we have given priority to low-cost accident prevention schemes. The basis for the National Audit Office figure is not clear from its report. We are seeking more details of the scale and nature of the problem.