HC Deb 10 January 1996 vol 269 cc241-2W
Mr. Hawkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he plans to amend the Highways Agency's 1995–96 key business plan targets. [8534]

Mr. Watts

As a consequence of the change to the trunk road programme announced on 28 November and published in "Managing the Trunk Road Programme", and the need to avoid over-committing funds for 1996–97, a number of business plan targets for the current financial year need to be amended. These include reducing the length of motorway and trunk road to be renewed from 134 and 262 nearside lane kilometres—nlks—to 110 and 220 nlks respectively, and deferring a number of milestone targets for the preparation of individual schemes. A full list of amendments has been placed in the Library.

The following 1995–96 targets are deferred, reflecting the new timing or priority of these schemes announced on 28 November: Start of Works

  • A12 Hackney—M11 (Contract 1)
  • A12 Hackney—M11 (Contract 3)
  • A40 Gypsy Corner Improvement
  • A40 Western Circus Junction Improvement.

The above schemes feature in table 3 of "Managing the Trunk Road Programme" as schemes now due to start by the end of the financial year 1996–97.

  • A406/A1/A598 Regents Park Road Junction improvement
  • Preferred Route
  • M1 Junctions 25–28 Widening
  • M11 Junctions 8–9 Widening
  • A6 Kibworth Bypass
  • Public Inquiry
  • M1 Junctions 10–15 Widening
  • M6 Junctions 11–16 Widening
  • M6 Junctions 16–20 Widening.

The following 1995–96 targets are withdrawn, reflecting the schemes' changed status:

  • Start of Works
  • A65 Manor Park Bends Improvement (now Regional Programme)
  • A65 Hellifield and Long Preston Bypass (now DBFO)
  • Preferred Route
  • A59 Bank Hall Diversion (withdrawn).