Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is(a) the planned start date and (b) the planned construction period for the Al-M1 link road; which contractors have been retained for the project; and if he will make a statement. [15006]
§ Mr. WattsI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. William O'Brien, dated 14 February 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the Ml-Al Link Road.The Highways Agency is conducting negotiations with the preferred bidder from the M1-Al Link Road Scheme. Negotiations are drawing to a conclusion and the signing of the contract is expected to be announced shortly.574WOnce the contract has been signed the start of work on site is expected to follow approximately 4 months later. However, during that 4 months, mobilisation work will be carried out in preparation for the start of the main construction work. Construction is planned to be completed within 3 years (including the 4 month mobilisation period).