§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to award the design, build, finance and operate scheme for the Ml-Al link; and if he will make a statement. [23607]
§ Mr. WattsThe design, build, finance and operate—DBFO—contract for the M1-A1 Yorkshire link project was awarded to Yorkshire Link Ltd. on 26 March 1996.
This is the largest and most complex DBFO the Department has awarded to date. This new motorway will take away from congested routes through Leeds and will improve access to industrial areas in the south-east of the city. Moreover, there is expected to be major reduction in road traffic accidents—more than 150 accidents a year should be prevented over the next 30 years.
The Department is making excellent progress with DBFO, with contracts now awarded for each of the first four DBFO projects first announced back in August 1994. This success shows the DBFO offers advantages to the construction industry, the road user and the taxpayer.