§ Mr. Crawfordasked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the capital cost of the installation of lighting on the M4 between the Chiswick Flyover and Slough; and what are the current operating costs.
§ Mr. HoramLighting for this length of the M4 was installed over a period of years by means of separate contracts as follows:
1965 Chiswick to Boston Manor (elevated section) about 2 miles—cost no longer available. 1966 Boston Manor to London Airport (including Spur to Airport) 8 miles—cost £100,000. 1969–71 London Airport to former Bray Interchange (section covering three turn-offs to Slough) about 12 miles—cost £160,000. Present day costs of installing conventional motorway lighting could be expected to fall within the range of £25,000 to £75,000 per mile depending on various factors, e.g., whether it is on a motorway under construction or open to traffic; whether it is dual two or dual three lane carriageway; the frequency and complexity of interchanges; the mode of lighting used; availability of electricity supplies and whether there is a need to provide or modify safety fences.
Current operating costs for this 22-mile length of M4, including maintenance and energy charges, amount to approximately £73,000 per annum.