§ 50. Mr. KnoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on new motorway construction in each of the last three years at constant prices.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyExpenditure this year on national roads as a whole is more than £1 billion for the first time.
The balance of the road programme has changed in recent years.
The amount spent on new motorway construction and capital maintenance in each of the last three years, adjusted to 1987–88 prices, is as follows:
£ million 1985–86 406 1986–87 321 1987–88 305 The change in spend on motorways reflects the completion of the M25 and the priority given to other types of trunk roads, in particular to the bypass programme which brings environmental relief to residents, reduces delay to travellers and freight, and cuts casualties.