§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on requirements for major maintenance on motorways and other trunk roads.
§ Mr. ChopeThe Department has made good progress towards eliminating by 1992–93 the backlog of maintenance identified in the early 1980s. In the current financial418W year, renewal achieved has exceeded our target by some 10 per cent. and I expect the target again to be exceeded in the forthcoming financial year.
Traffic growth, particularly in recent years, has greatly exceeded that forecast when much of the present network was built. Over the last six years extensive data on network conditions have been collected and these have now been analysed to provide comprehensive information on future maintenance needs. Results indicate that an effective programme of maintenance will require a level of activity significantly above 1991–92 level.
The information from this work will be updated annually so that progress can be monitored and requirements reviewed.
§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much it will cost his Department to assess competing bids for transport supplementary grant for highway structural maintenance on the primary route network.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 25 March 1991]: The assessment of competing bids for TSG will not necessitate any increase in departmental staff.