§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Transport if statistical information is available on the maintenance condition of motorways in recent years, in a format such as the defects index mentioned in the national road maintenance condition survey; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe defects index contained in reports of the national road maintenance condition survey is compiled from the results of visual surveys carried out by highway authorities. Although some visual surveying is done on motorways, the bulk of the information required to access their condition is obtained from regular deflectograph surveys. These surveys showed that in August 1984 20 per cent. of the motorway network in England had a residual life of up to five years, 18 per cent. had 6 to 10 years residual life, 20 per cent. had 11 to 15 years and 42 per cent. had over 16 years residual life. Similar information about the residual life of all-purpose roads in England and Wales in 1983 is contained in table 2 of the report of the 1984 national road maintenance condition survey.