§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the(a) budgeted cost and (b) total final cost for the three contracts to extend the North Circular Road (A406) at the junction of Fore Street, N18 (A1010) extending eastwards to the boundary of the London Borough of Enfield; on what date each contract was to be completed and when they were actually completed; and if he will make a statement. [74202]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI have asked the Chief Executive of the Highway Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Andrew Love, dated 8 March 1999:
The Minister for Transport in London, has asked Lawrie Haynes, the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, to reply to your recent parliamentary Question about the improvements to the A406 between Fore Street and Hall Lane. I am replying in Lawrie's absence from the office.The information you asked for is in the attached table except for the information on the final cost of each of the three contracts. I am afraid it is not possible to provide this until the final accounts have been settled. I have therefore provided figures of the spend to date.The delays in completing what were highly complex improvements to the A406, particularly at Fore Street, are regretted, but as you know, they were largely due to the contractors encountering unforeseen ground conditions. There were also difficulties installing the specialist mechanical and electrical equipment necessary for safety in the tunnel.However, the improved road between Fore Street and Hall Lane now means that traffic on the A406 is able to run much more freely. It no longer has to compete with local traffic at the Fore Street, Angel Road and Lea Valley junctions, thus reducing congestion and delays to all road users. This coupled with the extensive landscaping we have carried out means that local people who live and work in the area can now enjoy a much safer, healthier and more attractive environment.The figure of £1000000+ is a rough and untested estimate of the cost in 2000–01 were the Agency to develop its information systems and business processes to provide a range of electronic services including electronic handling of 25℅ of licence applications and access to public registers. It is being considered alongside competing priorities but has not yet been subject to critical business assessment and does not feature in the Agency's current financial plans