§ Mr. Leighasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received the report of the 1983 national road maintenance condition survey; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyThe report of the 1983 national road maintenance condition survey is published today. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House. This report, which does not cover motorways, shows that the general condition of roads in England and Wales has remained stable since the survey began in 1977. If anything, there has been a slight improvement.
Compared with last year the survey suggests that there has been a slight deterioration in the condition of trunk roads. It would be premature to conclude from one year's results that this will continue, but the Department will be closely monitoring the position. The structural renewal of motorways must remain our priority. The local highway authorities will, I know, be examining the condition of their own roads in relation to the national picture, as a guide to their maintenance priorities.
The standing committee on highway maintenance has established the NRMCS as an objective statistical basis for discussion of road condition and maintenance expenditure. I commend the report of the 1983 survey to all who have an interest in roads.