HC Deb 20 February 1997 vol 290 cc681-2W
Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many miles of(a) motorway and (b) trunk roads have been constructed in Scotland for each year since 1992; and what percentage in each year was in rural areas. [16272]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The information set out as follows is the motorway and trunk road milage constructed on major schemes completed in Scotland in each year since 1992. This information is not held centrally for minor schemes.

Miles
Year Motorway (length) Trunk road (length)
1992 12.5 9.5
1993 6.3 16.4
1994 16.5 5.5
1995 16.1 2.5
1996 9.2 4.5

At least 80 per cent. of this total mileage over the five-year period was constructed in rural areas.

Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many miles of(a) motorway and (b) trunk roads he proposes to construct in (i) 1997 and (ii) 1998. [16273]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

It is not possible to give a precise figure of mileage to be constructed in any future year. In 1997, a total of 20.7 miles of motorway and 12 miles of trunk road major schemes will be under construction or will commence construction. In 1998, a further 13.7 miles of motorway and 3.9 miles of trunk road is programmed for construction.

Mrs. Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the total expenditure on(a) motorway and (b) trunk road construction in Scotland since 1992. [16295]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Major scheme expenditure on motorways and trunk roads in Scotland since 1992 is set out in the following table. As it is not practical to attempt to extract and allocate the expenditure on minor schemes over this period to either motorway or trunk road, this has been listed separately.

£ million
Year Motorway Trunk Road Minor Schemes
1992–93 90 25.1 17.1
1993–94 56.5 45.1 9.9
1994–95 151 8.4 17.2
1995–96 86 12.8 12.9
1996–971 53 26 13.0
1 Forecast outturn 1996–97.