§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effects on the theoretical design life of more recently constructed sections of the M4 of the transference of heavy freight from rail to road being maintained after the coal strike for a period of (a) one year and (b) five years.
§ Mr. John Stradling Thomas[pursuant to his reply, of 15 March 1985, c. 312]: On the assumption that the additional traffic was to be maintained it is estimated that the theoretical design life of the more recently constructed sections of the M4 could be reduced by around 2 per cent. after one year and by around 10 per cent. after five years. In practice the actual condition of the motorway is continually monitored.