§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated average cost of constructing a mile of six-lane motorway at January 1975 prices.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe construction costs vary widely depending on the nature of the terrain through which the motorway passes and whether the location is urban or rural. On rural motorway schemes for which contracts were let in 1972–74, costs—at January 1975 prices—were in the range of £0.76 million to £3.85 million per mile for dual three-lane motorways with average of £1.70 million. Urban motorway costs are usually considerably higher than rural ones.
§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total sum spent on motorway construction in 1973–74.
§ Mr. CarmichaelExpenditure on new construction and improvements in 1973–74 amounted to just under £156 million.
§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated total sum to be spent on motorway construction during the current financial year; and how many miles of motorway are involved.
§ Mr. CarmichaelExpenditure on new construction and improvement of motorways in 1974–75 is estimated to be £158 million. Construction of about 80 miles of motorway will be completed during the year.