HC Deb 25 February 1986 vol 92 cc497-8W
Mr. John Browne

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the estimated costs of widening the two-lane motorway between Popham and Bar End into a three-lane motorway.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The cost of widening the Popham to Easton Lane section of the M3 to dual three-lane carriageways is estimated at about £24 million at current prices. This figure excludes the cost of delays to traffic. The Easton Lane to Bar End section has already been constructed to dual three-lane carriageway standard.

Mr. John Browne

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the traffic density forecasts he used when deciding to construct the Popham to Bar End section of the M3 to dual two-lane standards, as distinct from the three-lane standard of the rest of the motorway.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

At the time of the decision to construct the Popham to Easton Lane, Winchester section of the M3 as a dual two-lane motorway, the traffic flow was forecast to be up to about 43,000 vehicles per average August 16-hour day for the design year 1995. This is well within the current design capacity for a dual two-lane motorway.

Mr. John Browne

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how much money was saved by constructing a two-lane motorway rather than a three-lane motorway on the M3 between Popham and Bar End, Winchester.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

On the basis of national average rates at 1983 price levels it is estimated that to have constructed the 10 miles of the M3 from Popham to Easton Lane as a dual three-lane motorway would have cost an additional £18 million. The Easton Lane to Bar End section of the M3 has been constructed to dual three-lane standard.