§ Mr. Dorrellasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received the 1982 report of the national road maintenance condition survey; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI have now received the 1982 report on the national road maintenance condition survey and I have placed copies in the House of Commons Library. The survey has been carried out each year since 1977 by the248W standing committee on highway maintenance. It covers all-purpose trunk roads and local roads in England and Wales, but not motorways.
The report shows that overall the condition of trunk roads has remained stable since 1977. Although with motorways they represent only some 4 per cent. of the total network, together they carry nearly half the heavy goods traffic and nearly 70 per cent. of traffic from the heaviest lorries.
For local roads the results are more varied. No class of road is in a significantly worse condition than in 1977, although since 1980 there has been a deterioration in urban 249W and rural principal roads. The condition of certain other classes of local roads has remained fairly stable and that of urban unclassified roads has improved. Nevertheless, some trends are disappointing and indicate the need for further careful monitoring.