HC Deb 27 June 1977 vol 934 cc40-1W
Mr. Speed

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the latest estimated starting and completion dates for all sections of the M20, M25 and M26 motorways.

Mr. Horam

I give below the time bands within which, subject to the completion of the statutory procedures and the availability of funds, construction of all sections of the M20, M25 and M26 not yet begun or open to traffic is expected to start:

M20 Maidstone to Ashford 1980–1982
Ashford to Folkestone 1978–1979
M25 Swanley to Sevenoaks 1980–1982
Reigate to Wisley 1978–1979
Wisley to Chertsey 1978–1979
Chertsey to Thorpe 1978–1979
Egham to Yeoveney 1978–1979
Yeoveney to Heathrow Airport Spur 1978–1979
Airport Spur to M4 1980–1982
M4 to Maple Cross 1980–1982
Micklefield Green to South Mimms 1980–1982
A10 to M1l 1978–1979
M1l to A12 1978–1979

The sections of the M25 from Seven-oaks to Godstone are under construction and are expected to be open to traffic in the second half of 1979. The date for which the start of work on the section from the A12 to the A13 is now being revised.

Construction work on the section of the M20 from West Kingsdown to Wrotham, on the Sevenoaks Interchange, Runnymede Bridge and the section of the M25 from the Alll to the A10, and on the M26, is expected to start later this year.

I would expect the contract periods to be from two to three years.