§ 38. Mr. Bob Dunnasked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the construction of the M25; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe are making very substanial progress. 70 miles out of 120 are now open or under construction, including a continuous 40-mile stretch from the A1 at South Mimms in Hertfordshire to the M20 at Swanley in Kent.
Some 36 miles of the route are open to traffic, and the five-mile length between Potters Bar and Waltham Cross will be open later this month. A further 28 miles are under construction. We expect to let the contract for another six miles, between Chertsey and Wisley, shortly.
Planning of the remainder is well advanced, and the route has been fixed for all but 25 miles. The whole motorway should be open in 1985, except the section near Watford which, subject to the statutory procedures, should open in 1986.