§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated financial benefit of the A34 Newbury bypass; and if he will publish the full cost benefit analysis carried out in respect of this road. [38209]
§ Mr. WattsThis is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked its chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Cynog Dafis, dated 31 October 1995:
As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the financial benefits of the Newbury Bypass. The net present value of the benefits of the scheme, at current prices, range between £124.8 million on low traffic growth assumptions and £285.6 million high traffic growth.
The full cost benefit analysis used to take the scheme through the statutory procedures is a bulky document which is not readily copied. I have therefore enclosed copies of the traffic and economic evidence presented to the 1988 Inquiry which, effectively summaries the full cost benefit analysis. The full cost benefit analysis can of course be made available for inspection if you would like to see it.
I also enclose a copy of the report prepared by the Study Team who as part of the study commission by the then Secretary of State, looked again at the traffic forecasts and the scheme's economic evaluation.