§ Mr. McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he takes to ensure that the investment tests applied to road and rail projects are clear and consistent; whether cost-benefit analysis is applied to both types of projects; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyValue for money is the main criterion in the assessment of road and rail investment projects. Improvements in both road and rail are appraised in terms of what people would be willing to pay, but with rail projects the fare box provides the means for realising these user benefits.
User benefits from road schemes are assessed by applying COBA or other similar cost-benefit techniques of evaluation. External effects such as the benefits of a rail project on road congestion can be taken into account when there is evidence that these are significant.