HC Deb 02 November 1994 vol 248 cc1125-6W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of the costs(a) incurred by the Exchequer to date in respect of the proposed Birmingham northern relief road, (b) of his Department's involvement in the public inquiry into the road, (c) for the use of Mans Hal management centre for the public inquiry into the proposed road; and if he will recover this sum from the concessionaire, Midland Expressway Ltd.

Mr. Watts

This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms Joan Walley, dated 2 November 1994: You asked the Secretary of State for details of expenditure on the proposed Birmingham Northern Relief Road. As this is an operational matter for the Highways Agency I have been asked to reply. In response to those detailed points I would answer, using your paragraph letter, as follows:

  1. (a) The Exchequer has so far spent around £6.7 million on the proposed BNRR.
  2. (b) The setting up of the public inquiry currently in progress has cost the Department about £250,000 and there are running costs (including fees, hire charges etc.) of around £20,000 per week.
  3. (c) It is no longer intended to take the inquiry to Hams Hall. Alternative arrangements have been made.
You also asked about the recovery of costs from Midland Expressway Limited. The detail of the cost sharing between MEL and the Department is commercially confidential.