§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what targets the Government have set for resurfacing the strategic road network with noise-reducing surfaces; what funding has been earmarked for this work; and what percentage of this financial year's earmarked funding has been spent to date. [27024]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 14 January 2002]: The Government's 10-year plan for transport tasked the Highways Agency with installing quieter surfaces on more than 60 per cent. of the motorway and trunk road network including all concrete stretches. Funding will be allocated over the period as part of the agency's roads renewals budget. This financial year, the agency plans to spend around £250 million. To date, they have spent nearly 74 per cent. (£184 million) and they expect to spend to budget.