§ Lord Mountevansasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much new road has been opened in the last five years, and how much has been in tunnel.
§ Viscount DavidsonSix hundred and fifty-two miles of new or improved motorways and other trunk roads have been opened in Great Britain in the last five complete financial years. One mile, comprising two separate schemes, has been in tunnel. A further 0.4 mile of tunnel has been opened in the current financial year and another 2.1 miles, spread between five separate schemes, are under construction or in preparation.
Tunnel is only constructed in special circumstances, where significant environmental and other benefits outweigh the considerable cost involved.