§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if contracts have been let for completion of the M66 motorway; and on what date he intends to announce successful bids. [447]
§ Mr. Watts[holding answer 20 November 1995]: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Michael Meacher, dated 21 November 1995:
As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking if contracts have been let for completion of the M66 motorway and on what date he intends to announce successful bids.
As you know, the first two contracts are underway. We have let recently a contract for advance works for the next phase and that work will begin on 27 November. We are currently assessing tenders 56W for that next phase with the aim of starting work next year. You will appreciate that I cannot give a firm date for an announcement until we have finished assessing the tenders. Tenders for the final phase will follow on.