§ 47. Mr. HagueTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport by how much spending on national roads will be increased over the next three years.
§ Mr. AtkinsSpending on national roads over the next three years will total £5.7 billion, compared with £3.3 billion in the three years ending March 1990. This is art increase of 70 per cent. in cash terms.
Of the £5.7 billion, £4 billion will be made available for new construction and improvement. This represents an increase of 50 per cent. in real terms, on original expenditure plans for the years 1987–88 and 1989–90, and reflects the Government's commitment to the proposals set out in the White Paper "Roads for Prosperity" for reducing congestion.
In addition £1.7 billion will be spent on road, bridge and current maintenance. This will mean an increae of over 40 per cent., in real terms, in spending on capital maintenance compared with the three years to March 1990.