§ Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for Transport if, in view of the uncertainty created in Warwickshire by recently published statistics in connection with the projected M40 motorway between Birmingham and Oxford, he will state (a) whether the project is still a viable one, (b) if so, what are the likely dates of commencement and completion and (c) what is the likely overall cost at current prices.
§ Mr. HoramI am not aware that any recently published statistics cast doubt on the viability of this scheme.
Subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory processes and to the availability of funds at the time, work is expected to commence on the Banbury and Warwick sections of the M40 during the period 1980–82 and on the 378W section from Waterstock to Banbury between 1983 and 1985. Each section is expected to take some two years to complete.
The total cost of the M40 extension between Waterstock and Umberslade is estimated to be £96 million at November 1976 prices.