§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Transport when it is now anticipated that the M40 Oxford to Birmingham extension will be completed; and how that date compares with the original estimate.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe are working on a programme that implies an opening date in 1989. The precise timing depends on the consideration and resolution of points arising from the public inquiry.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the additional cost incurred by the slippage in the original completion target of the M40 Oxford to Birmingham extension.
§ Mrs. ChalkerNo slippage has yet occurred.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Transport if the M40 Oxford to Birmingham extension is to be surfaced in concrete.
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§ Mrs. ChalkerIt is the Department's normal practise to invite alternative tenders for rigid and flexible surfacing with the contract being awarded to the lowest tenderer.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the anticipated traffic flows for the M40 Oxford to Birmingham extension; and how much traffic it is anticipated that the M40 will then take from the M1 .
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe predicted average daily traffic flows in the year of opening of the motorway will be in the range 30,000 to 50,000 vehicles per day, including, in normal conditions, between 13,000 and 16,000 vehicles a day attracted from the M1.