§ Dame Peggy FennerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the increase in the cost of widening the M2 between junctions 1 and 4; and if he will reconsider the proposal and the necessity for the project.
§ Mr. KeySince the scheme for widening the M2 between junctions 1 and 4 entered the roads programme, the cost has increased from £43 million to £156 million. This increase has been mainly due to an increase in standard from dual three lanes to dual four lanes over most of the length, the addition of a second Medway bridge, strengthening of the existing bridge, major remodelling at 607W junctions 2 and 3, and further structures. The scheme has also been extended 1.5 km to the west of junction 1 to include a short length of the A2.
The M2 widening scheme is part of the current road programme review.