§ Sir Dudley SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to reduce the length of time taken by contractors to complete road works on motorways.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleUnder the citizens charter my Department is committed to using the lane rental form of contract on all suitable major maintenance schemes from next April. Under this scheme the contractor receives a bonus for finishing early, and incurs a charge if he is late completing the works. At present about half of all major maintenance schemes are let on a lane rental basis. These contracts are completed approximately 30 per cent. faster than works under conventional contracts. Night time and 24 hour working are used wherever it is practicable and safe to do so.