HC Deb 10 December 1996 vol 287 cc102-3W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the percentage of the Highways Agency budget devoted to road signing projects in each of the last five years. [8422]

Mr. Watts

New, enhanced, alternative or replacement signs are provided from within various types of works contract. These contracts can be major national projects, large and small regional improvements, local safety schemes and maintenance works. Each year the agency completes many hundred such contracts and the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the condition of the road signs for which his Department has responsibility in the county of Cheshire; [8442]

(2) if he will list the amount spent on road signings in the county of Cheshire by the Highways Agency in each of the last five years; and if he will list the percentage of the budget spent in Cheshire devoted to road signing in the same period. [8443]

Mr. Watts

I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 10 December 1996: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent questions about the condition of the road signs in Cheshire, and the amount of money the Agency has spent on road signing in Cheshire. The signs on the trunk road and motorway network in Cheshire are generally in good condition. A small proportion of signs have been identified as being in need of replacement and this work will be included in maintenance programmes when funds become available. Expenditure on road signs within Cheshire under the maintenance programme within the last five years is as follows:

Year Expenditure £ million Percentage of maintenance allocation
1993–94 0.268 2.5
1994–95 0.183 1.5
1995–96 0.186 2.1
1996–97 0.180 2.4
The full information requested is not readily available as separate records are not kept of all signing work included as part of new construction or maintenance schemes.