HC Deb 03 March 1971 vol 812 cc437-46W
Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway is it estimated will be completed during the financial year 1970–71 in the Narthern Region.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

45 miles.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway were completed in Durham County in the years 1966 to 1970, inclusive.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

28.6 miles.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway is it estimated will be completed in Durham County in the financial year 1970–71.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

6.3 miles.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway were completed in Northumberland County in the years 1966 to 1970, inclusive.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

None.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway is it estimated will be completed in Northumberland County in the financial year 1970–71.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

None.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what substantial improvements in east-west roads in the Northern Region will take place in the next five years;

(2) what substantial improvements in east-west roads in the Northern Region which will take place in the next five years were planned up to June, 1970.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

I list below the major trunk road schemes on which substantial progress is expected in the next five years. All of these were programmed or in preparation at 30th June, 1970:

  • A66—Chapel Brow to Barons Cross (excluding Keswick Bypass).
  • A66—Brough Bypass.
  • A66—Greta Bridge Bypass.
  • A66—Palliard to Summit.
  • A66—Bowes Bypass.
  • A66—Keswick Bypass.
  • A64—Malton Bypass.
  • A65—M6 to County Boundary.
  • A69—Bush Bends improvement.
  • A69—Greenhead improvement.
  • A69—Hexham and Corbridge Bypass.
  • A69—Throckley, Heddon and Horsley Diversion.
  • A69—Whitechapel and Minnow Bridge improvement.

Of these only Brough Bypass and Greta Bridge Bypass had firmly planned programme dates for start of work as at June, 1970.

In addition local authorities are preparing a number of principal road schemes to improve east-west roads, mainly in urban areas, during the next five years.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway it is estimated will be built in the Northern Region in the years 1971–75, inclusive.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

13.5 miles.

Mr. David Reed

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the estimated total expenditure on roads in the Northern Region in 1969 and 1970; and what proportion of each year's figures was from central Government funds.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

I regret that figures for calendar years are not available. £57.2 million was spent in 1968–69 and £67.7 million in 1969–70. The proportions from central government funds were 66 and 69 per cent. respectively; in addition general assistance was given via rate support grant.

Mr. David Reed

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the £150 million road programme for the Northern Region which he announced on 19th February represents an increase or a decrease in the annual rate of expenditure on roads over the previous five years.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

Annual expenditure on the road programme in the Northern Region averaged about £25 million between 1965–66 and 1969–70. Between 1970–71 and 1974–75 it is planned to average £30 million a year.

Mr. Urwin

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for the improvement of East-West roads in the Northern Region.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

Following are the major trunk road schemes in this category programmed or in preparation:

  • A66—Chapel Brow to Barons Cross (excluding Keswick Bypass).
  • A66—Keswick Bypass.
  • A66—Brough Bypass.
  • A66—Greta Bridge Bypass.
  • A66—Appleby Bypass.
  • A66—Palliard to Summit.
  • A66—Bowes Bypass.
  • A64—Malton Bypass.
  • A65—M6 to County Boundary.
  • A69—Brampton improvement.
  • A69—Bush Bends improvement.
  • A69—Greenhead improvement.
  • A69—Hexham and Corbridge Bypass.
  • A69—Horsley to Corbridge.
  • A69—Throckley, Heddon and Horsley Diversion.
  • A69—Whitechapel and Minnow Bridge.

In addition local authorities are preparing a number of principal road schemes to improve east-west roads, mainly in urban areas.

Mr. Urwin

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much he proposes to invest in road improvements in the Northern Region in the years 1971–75, giving the amounts for each year.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

It is planned to invest at least £150 million on motorways, trunk and principal road improvements in the Northern Region between 1970–71 and 1974–75. The annual incidence of payments will depend on the progress made on individual schemes.

Mr. Urwin

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway he proposes to construct in the years 1971–75 in the Northern Region.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

12.3 miles.

Mr. Urwin

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of dual carriageway he proposes to construct in the Northern Region in the years 1971–75.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

About 90 miles of dual carriageway should be completed on trunk roads in the years 1971–75.

In addition local authorities forecast completion of about 45 miles of dual carriageway principal roads.

Mr. Urwin

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new schemes will figure in the road construction programme for the Northern Region between 1971–75.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The number of major schemes forecast to start work in the Northern Region between 1971–75 is as follows:

Trunk roads 42
Principal roads 47

Mr. Urwin

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the total planned investment in road construction between 1971 and 1975 will relate to the A19, the Al, and the Sunderland bypass.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

It is estimated that expenditure on these roads between 1970–71 and 1974–75 will be approximately as follows:

Expenditure(£ m.) (Excluding Land)
Route
A19 25.0
A1 (including A1(M)) 15.0
Sunderland Bypass 5.5

Mr. Urwin

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the total investment in road construction in the Northern Region in each year from 1965 to 1970: and what is the estimated amount for 1970 to 1971;

(2) what was the total investment in road construction in the constituency of Houghton-le-Spring in each year from 1958 to 1970; and what is the estimated amount for 1970 to 1971;

(3) what was the total investment in road construction in the Northern Region in each year since 1958.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The total investment in road construction in the Northern Region since 1963–64 is as follows:

Totals £ million (of which Motorway, Trunck and Principal Roads)
1963–64 9.0 8.3
1964–65 9.5 9.0
1965–66 6.9 6.6
1966–67 16.0 15.6
1967–68 26.1 23.7
1968–69 39.8 37.1
1969–70 48.7 45.5
1970–71 (estimated) 48.5 45.0

All figures exclude the cost of land.

Regional figures for years before 1963–64 and separate figures of road investment in particular constituencies are not readily available.

Mr. Urwin

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the estimated investment in new road construction between 1971 and 1975 relates to schemes already in train, or approved before 18th June, 1970, in the Northern Region and in the constituency of Houghton-le-Spring.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

It is estimated that about one half of the £150 million expected to be spent in the next five years on new and improved main roads in the Region will relate to projects which were under construction or committed before June last year.

Data about investment in particular constituencies is not readily available.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated grant allocation for county road schemes in the Newburn Urban District of Northumberland County for the financial year 1970–71.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

I understand that the Northumberland County Council (the highway authority for county roads in Newburn) expect to allocate £.106 million to the Urban District Council for road schemes in the financial year 1970–71.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (I) what is the estimated sum expended on trunk road schemes in the Newburn Urban District of Northumberland County in the financial year 1970–71;

(2) what was the sum total spent on trunk road schemes in Northumberland County in the years 1966 to 1970, inclusive;

(3) what is the estimated sum expended on trunk road schemes in Northumberland County in the financial year 1970–71;

(4) what was the total sum spent on trunk road schemes in Durham County in the years 1966–70, inclusive;

(5) what is the estimated sum spent on trunk road schemes in Durham County in the financial year 1970–71;

(6) what was the total sum spent on county road schemes in Durham County in the years 1966–70, inclusive;

(7) what was the total sum spent on county road schemes in Northumberland County in the years 1966–70, inclusive;

(8) what was the sum allocated in grants for principal road schemes in the City of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the years 1966 to 1970, inclusive;

(9) what was the sum allocated in grants for county road schemes within the Newburn Urban District of Northumberland County in the years 1966 to 1970, inclusive;

(10) what was the sum expended on trunk roads in the Newburn Urban District of Northumberland in the years 1966 to 1970, inclusive.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

Expenditure in the financial years 1965–66 to 1969–70, inclusive, was:

£ million
Trunk Road Expenditure*
Durham County 28.4
Northumberland 7.3
Principal Road Expenditure*
Durham County 26.7
Northumberland 22.8
Principal Road Grants
Newcastle upon Tyne 3.3
* Expenditure on new construction, improvement, maintenance and cleansing. In addition, loans amounting to £6.7 million were issued for the Tyne Tunnel. Figures for 1970–71 will be available later this year. Expenditure in the Newburn Urban District is not separately distinguished.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many miles of dual carriageway it is estimated will be completed during the financial year 1970–71 in Northumberland County;

(2) how many miles of dual carriageway it is estimated will be completed during the financial year 1970–71 in Durham County;

(3) how many miles of dual carriageway it is estimated will be completed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne during the financial year 1970–71.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The information, which includes details obtained from the highway authorities, is as follows:

miles
Northumberland County 11.59
Durham County 6.97
Newcastle-upon-Tyne Nil

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many miles of dual carriageway were completed in Northumberland County in the year 1966–70, inclusive;

(2) how many miles of dual carriageway were completed in Durham County in the years 1966–70, inclusive.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The information is as follows:

miles
Northumberland County 9.88
Durham County 54.8

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of dual carriageway were completed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the years 1966–71.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

Two miles.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the value of all road schemes completed in North-East England in the financial years 1969–70, 1968–69, 1967–68;

(2) what was the value of all road schemes completed in the Northern Region in the financial years 1969–70, 1968–69, and 1967–68.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The information, which includes details from the highway authorities involved, is as follows:

£ million
North-East-England
1969–70 23.24
1968–69 13.96
1967–68 30.52
Northern Region
1969–70 34.5
1968–69 17.78
1967–68 31.68

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the value of all road schemes completed in Northumberland County in the financial years 1966 to 1970, inclusive;

(2) what was the value of all road schemes completed in Durham County in the financial years 1966 to 1970, inclusive.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The information available indicates as follows:

£ million
Northumberland County 10.4
Durham County 33.29

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the estimated value of all road schemes which will be completed in Northumberland County in the financial year 1970–71;

(2) what is the estimated value of all road schemes which will be completed in Durham County in the financial year 1970–71;

(3) what is the estimated value of all road schemes which will be completed in North-East England in the financial year 1970–71;

(4) what is the estimated value of all road schemes which will be completed in the Northern Region in the financial year 1970–71.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The information is as follows:

£ million
Northumberland 9.8
Durham County 8.09
North-East England 17.75
Northern Region 68.75

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the sum allocated in grants for principal road schemes to local authorities in the Northern Region and what was the sum financed by the local authorities in the years 1966 to 1970 inclusive;

(2) what was the total sum spent in the Northern region on improving the road structure in the five years 1966 to 1970, inclusive.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

£137.5 million was spent on road construction in the Northern Region in the five years 1965–66 to 1969–70 of which £128.5 million was spent on motorways, trunk and principal roads. These figures include about £30 million specific Central Government grant and about £13 million expenditure by local highway authorities on principal road schemes. All figures exclude land costs.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the estimated sum of the grant allocation to local authorities in the Northern Region in respect of principal road schemes in the financial year 1970–71;

(2) what is the estimated sum of the grant allocation to Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council in respect of principal road schemes in the financial year 1970–71.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The information is as follows:

£ million
Northern Region 5.05
Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council .15

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total sum of money in respect of planned road schemes in the Northern Region at June, 1970.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

£165 million, representing the estimated cost of major trunk and principal road schemes programmed or in preparation but not approved for start of work as at 30th June, 1970. Expenditure on these schemes will extend well beyond the next five years.

Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway were completed in the Northern Region during the years 1966 to 1970, inclusive.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

77.2 miles.