§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when each stage of the outer city bypass is likely to be completed; what funds will be made available for this project year by year until completion; what proportion of the total cost of the project this represents; and whether this proportion is similar to that provided for other major work projects in Scotland during the last 10 years.
§ Mr. AncramThe Edinburgh outer city bypass is a local road project and the timetable for constructing each of the four remaining sections is, therefore, a matter for Lothian regional council. The Government's offer of financial support to the council should allow the road to be completed broadly within the decade.
A grant under the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act 1909, at the rate of 33 per cent. will be based on accepted contract prices, land costs and design and supervision fees and will be paid in quarterly instalments in respect of work done. Capital expenditure allocations to Lothian will take into account the council's annual estimates of planned expenditure on the bypass. It is not possible to say at this stage what funds will be required annually for this project.
Following the reorganisation of local government in May 1975, expenditure on non-trunk roads is generally financed entirely by local highway authorities. Since that date, specific grant under the 1909 Act has been paid towards the cost of three local authority bridge projects at the rate of 100 per cent. (£75,000), 75 per cent. (£375,000) and 35 per cent. (£690,000).