THE EARL OF HARROWBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much money has been spent in recent months, and will be spent over the rest of the year, in bull-dozing newly-made sections of the M.5 near Cheltenham and who is meeting the cost, what is the cause and who is responsible for the collapse, how long had the road been laid before it was destroyed and what length has been or will be involved, and how long repairs will take.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)The noble Earl probably has in mind the section of M.5 in Worcestershire, between Strensham and Lydiate Ash. This section has been in use for some eight years and it has become necessary to rebuild and completely resurface it because certain parts of the carriageway had become unsound. The cost of repairs, which are met in full by my Department, were £130,000 in 1968, £637,000 in 1969 and are estimated to cost £730,000 this year. Work should be completed next month if weather permits.