§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has so far been made on widening the M1; what are the anticipated start and finish dates for the work; and what is the likely cost.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleProposals to widen the M1 between the M25, junction 6A and the M18, junction 32, were added to the road programme by the White Paper, "Roads for Prosperity", in May 1989. The estimated works cost, at November 1987 prices, was given in "Trunk Roads, England: Into the 1990s" as approximately £1 billion. The work is being carried forward under a number of consultant commissions. We expect to let a construction contract shortly to add a fourth lane northbound between junctions 9 and 10, and work should be completed by the end of the year. Other commissions are at earlier stages. Public consultation has been carried out for two sections between junctions 6A and 15 and the results will be announced later this year. Other consultations are in prospect. Subsequent progress will depend on the outcome of the statutory procedures and the availability of funding.