§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Transport by what criteria his Department assesses the competitiveness of tenders for both concrete and bituminous surface dressings for motorways; what is the difference in relative costs between these two dressings; what differences there are in relative noise levels; and what percentage of total tender prices surface dressings represents.
§ Mr. HoramTo ensure that the most economical form of construction is adopted, the Department's normal practice is to invite alternative tenders for both concrete and bituminous pavements, the contract being awarded on the basis of the lowest tender price. In recent years, this has led to about one-sixth of new trunk road mileage being constructed in concrete. Perceived noise levels do not differ between concrete and bituminous pavements having the same standards of skid resistance. The pavement represents about one-quarter of the cost of construction in normal circumstances.