HC Deb 16 December 1996 vol 287 cc416-8W
Mr. Hunter

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which road projects(a) completed since 1991–92 and (b) not yet completed included private sector involvements. [6743]

Mr. Watts

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

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Andrew Hunter, dated 16 December 1996: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking which road projects (a) completed since 1991/92 and (b) not yet completed, included private sector involvement. As part of the Department of Transport's response to the private finance initiative, a number of schemes in the roads programme are being developed as Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) projects. This is an innovative way to introduce private sector finance and expertise into scheme development and management of the network. Contracts awarded so far, including the major construction projects involved, are as follows:-

Financial Year 1995/96 A69 Carlisle to Newcastle (Haltwhistle Bypass) A1(M) Alconbury to Peterborough A419/A417 Swindon to Gloucester (A419/A417 Cirencester & Stratton Bypass, A417 North of Stratton to Nettleton Improvement and A419 Latton Bypass) M1-A1 Yorkshire Link (Lofthouse to Bramham Improvement)

Financial Year 1996/97 A50 Stoke-Derby Link (A564 Doveridge Bypass) A30/A35 Exeter to Bere Regis (A35 Honiton to Exeter Improvement and A35 Tolpuddle to Puddletown Bypass) M40 Junctions 1–15 (Junctions 1A-3 Widening) A19 Dishforth to Tyne Tunnel (Norton-Parkway Interchange Improvement). Clearly, it is too early for any of the major projects involved to have been completed yet. Added to these DBFO projects, the Secretary of State announced after the Budget statement that we are going ahead with seven more DBFO projects involving 33 separate major construction schemes. These are as follows:-

M6 Extension Carlisle-Scottish Border incorporating: M6 Carlisle-Guardsmill Extension. This forms part of M6 DBFO project being taken forward by the Secretary of State for Scotland. The DBFO contract is in the final stages of negotiation and subject to bids being value for money, a contract could be awarded in the early part of next year.

Cumbria to Bradford DBFO Project incorporating:

  • A590 High and Low Newton Bypass
  • A65 Hellifield and Long Preston Bypass
  • A65 Gargrave Bypass
  • A629 Skipton to Kildwick Improvement
  • A650 Bingley Relief Road
  • A650 Hard Ings Road Improvement.

Weald and Downland DBFO Project incorporating:

  • A21 Tonbridge Bypass to Pembury Bypass Dualling
  • A21 Lamberhurst Bypass
  • A27 Polegate Bypass
  • A259 Pevensey to Bexhill Improvement
  • A259 Bexhill and Hastings Western Bypass
  • A259 Hastings Eastern Bypass.

South Midlands Network DBFO Project incorporating:

  • A6 Great Glen Bypass
  • A6 Rothwell and Desborough Bypass
  • A6 Rushden and Higham Ferrers Bypass
  • A6 Clapham Bypass
  • A43 Silverstone Bypass
  • A43 Whitfield Turn to Brackley Hatch Dualling
  • A43 M40 to B4031 Improvement
  • A428 Norse Road Link.

Wessex Link DBFO Project incorporating:

  • A36 Salisbury Bypass
  • A303 Wylye to Stockton Wood Improvement
  • A303 Sparkford to Ilchester Improvement
  • A303 Ilminster Bypass Improvement
  • A36 Codford to Heytesbury Improvement
  • A303 Chicklade Bottom to Mere Improvement.

A13 Thames Gateway DBFO Project incorporating:

  • Al3 Ironbridge to Canning Town Improvement
  • A13/A117 Woolwich Manor Way Junction Improvement
  • A13 Movers Lane Junction Improvement
  • A13/A112 Prince Regent Lane Junction Improvement.

West London Approach DBFO Project incorporating:

  • A40 Gypsy Corner Improvement
  • A40 Western Circus Improvement.
Development of these new projects is going well and we would expect to award contract for the first three before the end of the next financial year. Contracts for the A13 and West London projects should be awarded Spring/Summer of 1998. The Wessex Link will be taken forward as soon as the post public inquiry assessments for Salisbury Bypass have been concluded. Outside the DBFO initiative, three major projects involve private finance. These are: Dartford Thurrock Crossing (completed in October 1991) Second Severn Crossing (completed earlier this year) Birmingham Northern Relief Road (still going through statutory processes). There are also many smaller schemes, including simple junction improvements, which are privately funded either wholly, or in part, under Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980. This provision allows developers or private companies to finance improvements to trunk roads necessitated by development. Over the five year period from 1991/92 to 1995/96, agreements were reached to promote schemes totalling over £37m. Most of these schemes have been constructed, but a few have been delayed because they are linked to developments. Figures for 1996/97 are, of course, not yet available.