§ Mr. ConwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will give the number of picnic areas with toilet facilities proposed by his Department, the cost per site and the anticipated dates of opening;
187W(2) what considerations he has given to appointing a private contractor to operate the picnic sites proposed by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe propose the provision of six further picnic sites on all-purpose trunk roads in England. The estimated cost per site ranges between £52,000 and £300,000. Five of the sites are due to open before the end of 1989, and the sixth is planned to open in 1992.
Our policy is to arrange for the general management and maintenance of picnic areas to be carried out by county councils as agent authorities. A small catering facility is also provided at many picnic areas. About half of the existing 26 sites have one and it is intended to provide one at each of the six proposed sites. Private contractors are appointed to operate all such catering facilities. The contractors are selected by competitive tender.