§ Mr. Fryasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied that the present level of funds for local and trunk road maintenance is the optimum to ensure that the most efficient use is being made of resources, taking into account damage to vehicles as well as other factors.
§ Mr. William RodgersI have seen no evidence that the present level of expenditure on ordinary road maintenance is wasteful of resources, far less in the context of damage to vehicles.
§ Mr. Fryasked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the planned expenditure for (a) snow clearance and (b) frost damage repair in England for local roads and trunk roads, respectively, for 1978–79; and what are the corresponding latest estimated figures.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe planned expenditure for salting and snow clearance for motorways and trunk roads for 1978–79 is £5,033,480. The cost of repair work due to frost damage is not identified separately. Actual outturn costs are not yet available.
Local authorities do not provide estimates broken down into snow clearance 214W and frost damage repair, nor are such costs identified in detail. Reports of expenditure either actual or estimated are not yet available.