§ Mr. Tim SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present surface texture of the grooved concrete surface of the M40 between junctions 1 and 2 measured by the sand patch method; and what was the value of the surface texture in 1973.
§ Mr. ChopeThe sand patch method of measuring texture is not appropriate to grooved concrete surfaces. The specification for measuring grooved concrete is to measure the depth of the grooves. On the M40 between junctions 1 and 2 the average depth is 3.6 mm.
The records from 1973 are no longer available.
§ Mr. Tim SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the consultants' report on the proposed widening of the M40 between junctions 1 and 4; when public consultation will begin; and whether the consultants' terms of reference include the submission of measures to ameliorate the noise nuisance from this stretch of motorway.
§ Mr. ChopeWe expect the consultants to submit their preliminary report appraising the options for increasing the capacity of this length of motorway towards the end of this year. That appraisal will include measures to mitigate the effects of the improved road on the local environment. A decision on the preferred widening option is expected to follow in the spring of 1992. The procedures to be followed from that stage will depend on the scale and nature of the works proposed.