§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Transport what current surveys are being carried out by which companies on behalf of his Department on the superstructure and bottom reinforcement bars of the M6 midland links motorway in the vicinity of junctions 5, 6 and 7; over what period; at what constructed cost; and when and how the results of such surveys will be published.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe are carrying out a number of investigations into concrete defects throughout the length of the elevated section of midland links. This was first reported in the press notice my midlands regional office issued on 26 August 1983 (WM256/83(M)).
The work between junctions 5 and 7 on the M6 is being carried out by G. Maunsells and Partners who, together with W. S. Atkins and Partners, were appointed on 1 April 1983 to assist the Department when we took over direct responsibility for the below deck level maintenance and inspection of the midland links structures. A number of other specialist firms are assisting them in this work.
The cost of these investigations and those extending over the whole of the midland links viaducts are expected to be in the order of £700,000. I hope to be able to give an interim report to the House on this work in the early part of 1985.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence there is of above-average salt penetration to the viaduct superstructure of the M6 midland link motorway at junction 6; what steps are taken to monitor salt penetration and its effects; and in what form the results of such monitoring are published.
584WChanges in primary energy consumption between 1979 and 1983, adjusted for movements in gross domestic product, are given in the following table:
§ Mrs. ChalkerMonitoring of salt penetration and its effects is a part of the investigations being carried out by the consulting engineers and I expect to deal with it in the report I intend to make early in 1985. However, various courses are already under consideration for allaying the effects of salt penetration and for preventing contamination by salt-laden water along the midland links. Work is proceeding on the replacement of deck expansion joints as part of the normal resurfacing programme. As a further measure, drainage gutters will be provided to the deck expansion joints.