HC Deb 21 February 1979 vol 963 cc228-9W
Mr. Fry

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the factors for England, Wales, Scotland and the average for Great Britain used to convert 1975 survey prices to 1976 survey prices, 1976 survey prices to 1977 survey prices, and 1977 survey prices to 1978 survey prices for each of the years 1973–74 to 1982–83 for motorway and trunk road construction, motorway and trunk road maintenance, local road construction, and local road maintenance.

Mr. Horam

The following factors have been used to revalue these programmes in England:

falls in the English motorway and trunk road construction budget in 1976–77, 1977–78 and in 1978–79 to each of the underlying causes such as delays due to bad weather, undercutting by contractors, delays due to public participation and inquiries, or mistakes made by his Department in fulfilling the statutory procedures.

Mr. Horam

Delays in the preparation and construction of trunk roads and motorways occur for many reasons, of which the examples quoted by the hon. Member are typical. It is not possible to attribute the shortfall in expenditure to any particular cause.

Mr. Fry

asked the Secretary of State for Transport on what occasions during the past five years the Countryside Commission has opposed his Department's and local authorities' proposals for road improvements.

Mr. Horam

We consult the Countryside Commission at various stages in the development of all major motorways and trunk road schemes outside urban areas and in all cases where the amenity of the countryside is likely to be an issue. Information on the occasions when the Commission has opposed highway proposals is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Forward to