HC Deb 20 October 1975 vol 898 cc30-1W
Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current cost per mile for the construction of a dual carriage three-lane motorway at ground level, on simple embankment, on retained fill embankment, on elevated sections of 100 ft. span, in depressed simple embankment, in depressed retained-side embankment, and in cut-and-cover, respectively; and what is the cost of such motorway in the open country, excluding land and property compensation, in open country, including land and property compensation, in a central urban situation, excluding land and property compensation, and in a central urban situation, including land and property compensation.

Mr. Carmichael

The information is not readily available since works are normally constructed in a combination of the stated criteria. The best information available is contained in Chapter 3 of the "Report of the Urban Motorways Project Team to the Urban Motorway Committee" published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office 1973. Since the publication of the report construction costs have moved approximately 64 per cent. upwards. There is no comparable information available for rural motorways but for contracts let in 1972–1974 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 an average of £1.70 million. Land costs and rehousing are excluded from these figures. These costs also vary widely and can account for 10 per cent. or more of the overall cost of rural schemes.