HC Deb 24 July 1987 vol 120 cc584-5W
Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the work on upgrading the A74 road will start; and when the work will be completed.

Mr. Rifkind

The timetable for implementing the upgrading of the A74 to motorway standard will depend on detailed studies still to be carried out, and on the time taken to complete any necessary statutory procedures.

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost of upgrading the A74 road to motorway standard.

Mr. Rifkind

At present the cost is estimated to be about £200 million, but more precise estimates will be made in due course.

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the upgrading of the A74 road to motorway standard will involve a new line of route; and how much land will have to be purchased for this purpose.

Mr. Rifkind

Feasibility studies will shortly be commissioned to assess the best way of implementing this project. Until these have been carried out it is not possible to determine whether the best solution is upgrading on the existing road alignment or building on a new alignment. That choice will affect the land requirements.

Mr. Forth

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total cost of the A74 upgrading and the reason for that upgrading; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

At present the cost is estimated to be about £200 million, but more precise estimates will be made once detailed studies have been carried out. The A74 is to be upgraded to motorway because it is the Government's policy to improve key roads and the A74 is Scotland's main link with the south.

Mr. Forth

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the design capacity of the upgraded A74; and what is the current traffic volume.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The design capacity of a rural two-lane motorway is 54,000 vehicles per day. The current daily traffic volume on the A74 in Scotland is some 19,000 vehicles. However the normal threshold figure for considering provision of a motorway is 28,000 vehicles per day in a design year 15 years after completion. Current projections for the A74 exceed this figure.