§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 24 June,Official Report, column 32, what repair work has had to be undertaken on the approach roads to the original Severn bridge as a result of defective steelwork; and what has been the effect on traffic flows. [34946]
§ Mr. WattsNo repair work has been undertaken on the approach roads to the original Severn bridge as a result of defective steelwork.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of traffic used each of the Severn river crossings in each week since its opening. [34886]
§ Mr. WattsIn each of the first three weeks of the new Severn crossing being opened, approximately 75 per cent. of traffic has used the new bridge and 25 per cent. the old.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the difference between the total costs of the second Severn crossing(a) under the present arrangements and (b) financed entirely by public funds; and if he will make a statement. [35028]
§ Mr. WattsI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 1 July 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimate he has made of the difference between the total costs of the Second Severn Crossing (a) under the present arrangements and (b) financed entirely by public funds.
A comparison of the 4 private sector bids submitted in 1989 with the estimated cost of procuring the Crossing using public funds showed that the bid submitted by the winning tenderer. Severn River Crossing Plc, was cheaper and represented the best value of money. Utilising the private sector also meant that the Crossing could be provided much earlier than would have been possible if it had to compete for scarce road programme funds.