§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the cost of refurbishment of the Chiswick flyover on the London A4, the cause of its deterioration and the time taken to repair it. [11645]
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§ Mr. WattsI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 25 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking him if he will estimate the cost of the refurbishment of the Chiswick flyover, the cause of its deterioration and the time taken to repair it.My reply relates to work to the M4 elevated section which extends from Junction 1 (east of Chiswick roundabout) to Boston Manor playing fields.It is too early to be precise about the cost of the refurbishment of the elevated section of the M4. In order to maintain access on this busy route between London, Heathrow and the west and to minimise disruption to road users, the work will have to be phased and could take up to ten years. Preliminary estimates suggest that the cost will be in the region of £30m.The M4 elevated structure is some 30 years old. Repairs are required because over the years water containing de-icing salts has leaked from the road surface into the crossheads at the top of the piers. When this occurs steel reinforcement in the piers begins to rust loosening and pushing off the protective surface concrete.There is an ongoing maintenance programme to install new bridge deck joints to prevent further deterioration of the structure and to review loose surface concrete. This work is being undertaken at night.Investigations to prepare a programme a further repairs are still ongoing. There are no plans for weekday or daytime closures of this section of the M4 motorway.