§ Sir Terence HigginsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what authority he has placed contracts for ground investigation works on the Worthing to Lancing section of the A27, including tunnels under Salvington and Lancing Ring, before a public inquiry has recommended that route; what was the advertised figure for the cost of the works and what is his current estimate; what the maximum loss to public funds is estimated to be if a different route is eventually chosen and on what vote this would fall; and what procedures were followed for the authorisation of the contracts and the advertising.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleAuthority to undertake surveys of land in connection with a highway authority's functions is given by section 289 of the Highways Act 1980. The award of a ground investigation contract for the A27 Worthing-Lancing scheme to Exploration Associates Ltd. was announced on 24 July 1991. The 20-week contract was let in accordance with my Department's normal procedures to provide information on soil conditions required for design and assessment work prior to the publication of draft orders. The investigation included the collection of information on the blue and red routes for comparison with the preferred route. The value of the accepted tender was £149,992. The final outturn cost is not yet known. The cost of the contract is being met from the roads vote.