§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the most recent estimate of the cost of providing underpasses or a combination of underpasses and overhead structures to separate local from through traffic on the A34 at Newbury.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe estimate of £30 million for a continuous underpass given in reply to my hon. Friend862W on 22 January 1987 was prepared in 1979. The cost of a combination of an underpass and overhead structures was estimated at about £18 million in 1982. For the purpose of comparison with the proposed western bypass some £8 million at 1982 prices would have to be added to both estimates for the improvement of the A34 south of Newbury.
No more recent estimates are available. Current costs are likely to be substantially higher.