§ 65. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the discussions held by the Minister of Transport Industries with the European Economic Community on axle weights and lorry sizes.
§ Mr. PeytonI have made the Government's views known to the Transport Ministers of the EEC Member States individually, and to the Commissioner concerned with transport. Formal consultations with the Community have yet to take place.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the cost of strengthening roads and bridges in Great Britain if axle weights were raised to 11 tons.
§ Mr. PeytonOver a 10–15 year period accelerated wear due to 11-ton axles would probably involve additional expenditure of some £200 million. Increased cost of new road construction would be about £5 million-£8 million per year.