Mr. BowlsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is yet ready to publish a further report on the midland links viaducts.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyA 1988 report is published today.
We welcome this report for the reassuring news that it brings and for the information that it conveys. It is important to keep the wider public informed about these vital elements in our motorway network. Copies have been placed in the House of Commons Library.
The report confirms that the structures are sufficiently strong to carry the traffic which wants to use them.
The major problem is damage arising from chloride contamination. This is attributable to the original salt-laden water penetrating the structures during the de-icing of the motorways in winters before 1983. We are no longer adding to this problem, as we now use urea. Measures to tackle the consequences of this contamination will be a considerable part of the future programme.
The strategy for the future maintenance of the viaducts comes down to continuous monitoring, repair and maintenance. The accent will remain on value for money and will include further investigation into improving repair techniques.