HC Deb 25 March 1996 vol 274 cc454-5W
Ms Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average cost overrun for major road schemes constructed by his Department in each of the last 10 years; and if he will list the 10 schemes with the largest cost overrun during the last 10 years. [20777]

Mr. Watts

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

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms Clare Short, dated 25 March 1996: The Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the average cost overrun of road schemes. You asked what was the average cost ovenun of major road schemes constructed in each of the last ten years, and requested a list of the ten schemes with the largest cost ovenun during that period. A report entitled "Department of Transport: Contracting for Roads" was published by the National Audit Office in October 1992, and provided detailed information on this matter. In addition, I wrote to Mrs. Joan Walley MP on 3 October 1995 in response to a Parliamentary Question enclosing some information for schemes completed between March 1990 and March 1995, I enclose copies of these documents for your ease of reference.