HC Deb 10 July 1998 vol 315 cc645-6W
Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provision has been made in respect of payment of debts owed by Midland Expressway Ltd. in relation to the construction of the BNRR in the event that the company becomes bankrupt. [49349]

Ms Glenda Jackson

No financial provision has been made by the Government, since we do not consider it likely that the company will become bankrupt or that if it did liabilities would pass to the Government.

Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the report by Transport Planning Associates commissioned by his Department into the bids to construct the Birmingham Northern Relief Road submitted by BNRR Ltd., MEL and MPC. [49348]

Ms Glenda Jackson

None, since the document appears to be part of the material that previous ministers used in reaching their decision to award the BNRR concession. I understand MEL developed their traffic modelling very substantially during and after the bidding process so as to provide a sound basis for putting their scheme to the public inquiry.

Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the total projected yearly cost of the operation and maintenance of the widened section of the M42 included in the Birmingham Northern Relief Road scheme which would be paid for by the Government if the scheme went ahead. [49287]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Reliable maintenance estimates will not be available until, following the resolution of the current High Court challenges, MEL have undertaken the detailed design of the carriageway. The reconstruction of the M42 to provide an entirely new carriageway should mean that, for the foreseeable future, maintenance costs should be very much lower than for the existing carriageway.

Tony Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what percentage of the operation and maintenance cost of the section of the M42 included in the BNRR scheme would be paid for by the Government to MEL if the scheme went ahead; [49289]

(2) what percentage of the construction cost of widening the section of the M42 included in the BNRR scheme is to be paid for by the Government if the MEL scheme goes ahead. [49288]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Forty per cent.