Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest estimate of the cost of constructing the M4 link at Baglan; what is the length of time that the
Contract period (months) Roads in Wales timeband for start Estimated cost at November 1988 prices (Roads in Wales) £ million Earlswood-Lonlas 36 Before April 1990 Between 1 April 1991 and 31 March 33 Briton Ferry-Earlswood 36 1994 Between 1 April 1991 and 31 March 48 Baglan-Briton Ferry 30 1994 35 Tenders have been invited for the Earlswood-Lonlas contract with a view to letting before the end of this financial year. Preparation work on the remaining schemes is proceeding in accordance with the Roads in Wales programme. The Briton Ferry-Earlswood and Baglan-Briton Ferry contracts will be let six months apart to achieve simultaneous completion. The decision to proceed will depend on the availability of finance. The time required for tendering procedures, including EC journal notification and for advance earthworks is around 12 months.