HC Deb 13 June 1991 vol 192 cc628-9W
Mr. Tim Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the amount of primary aggregates used in(a) construction and (b) maintenance of the railway network over the past 10 years, in (i) tonnes and (ii) as a proportion of total national aggregates' consumption.

Mr. Freeman

The figures for purchases of ballast by British Rail are as follows:

Tonnes (millions)
1986–87 2.9
1987–88 2.9
1988–89 2.7
1989–90 2.4
1990–91 2.2

The other information is not available.

Mr. Tim Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the amount of primary aggregates used in(a) construction and (b) maintenance of motorways and trunk roads over the past 10 years, in (i) tonnes and (ii) as a proportion of total national aggregates consumption.

Mr. Chope

Detailed information across the whole range of road construction is not kept by the Department. Estimates are, of necessity, coarse. Industry estimates show some 32 per cent. of United Kingdom aggregates production is used in road construction and maintenance. This figure has remained stable over the past 10 years. The Department estimates that in 1980 around 10 per cent. of aggregates consumption—21 million tonnes—was used in the construction and maintenance of motorways and trunk roads. This compares with estimates of 12 per cent. of aggregates consumption—36 million tonnes—in 1989.

Mr. Tim Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the amount of primary aggregates used in(a) construction and (b) maintenance of local roads over the past 10 years, in (i) tonnes and (ii) as a proportion of total national aggregates' consumption.

Mr. Chope

Detailed information across the whole range of road construction is not kept by the Department. Estimates are, of necessity, coarse. Industry estimates show some 32 per cent. of United Kingdom aggregates production is used in road construction and maintenance. This figure has remained stable over the past 10 years. The Department estimates that in 1980, 22 per cent. of aggregates consumption—43 million tonnes—was used in the construction and maintenance of local roads. This compares with estimates of 20 per cent.—60 million tonnes—in 1989.

Mr. Tim Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated requirement for primary aggregates arising from the Government's road building programme, set out in the May 1988 White Paper "Roads to Prosperity."

Mr. Chope

The requirement for primary aggregates is estimated at 120,000 tonnes per kilometre. The Government's road building programme, set out in the White Paper "Roads for Prosperity" established a target of 4,247 kilometres—2,655 miles. The overall requirement is therefore in the region of 510 million tonnes.