§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent in constant 1983–84 prices on motorway construction in(a) 1985–86, (b) 1986–87 and (c) 1987–88; and what will be provisional spending for 1988–89.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyExpenditure this year on national roads as a whole is more than £1 billion for the first time. The balance of the road programme has changed in recent years.
The amount spent on new motorway construction and capital maintenance in each of the last three years, adjusted to 1983–84 prices, is as follows:
£ million 1985–86 338 1986–87 267 1987–88 254 Provisional spending for 1988–89, also at 1983–84 prices, is £244 million.
The change in spend on motorways reflects the completion of the M25 and the priority given to other types of trunk road improvements, in particular to the bypass programme which brings environmental relief, reduces delay to travellers and freight, and cuts casualties.