§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 13 July 1998,Official Report, column 15, what is the current projection of traffic flows on the M42 and M6 if the Birmingham Northern Relief Road is built. [53730]
§ Ms Glenda Jackson[holding answer 30 July 1998]I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.
614WLetter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Brian Jenkins, dated 31 July 1998:
The Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Birmingham Northern Relief Road.The current traffic forecasts are those prepared during the BNRR Public Inquiries and a table showing these is attached. The forecasts are for the design year 2011, and they assumed that the Western Orbital Route would not be built. Traffic forecasts are currently being updated and I shall let you know details when they are available.
Birmingham Northern Relief Road Year 2011 indicative annual average daily traffic two-way modelled/lows; with the BNRR scheme, but excluding the western orbital route Total M42 J 7A–8 148,000 J 8–9 179,200 M6 J 4–4A 100,900 J 4A–5 151,200 J 5–6 141,600 J 6–7 147,300 J 8E–8W 83,900 J 8W–9 165,300 J 9–10 155,300 J 10–10A 143,800 J 10A–11 97,900 J 11–11A 91,400 J 11A–12 142,400 J 12–13 162,900
Dr. Tony WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the contract between MEL and the contractor for BNRR is in the possession of his Department; and if the Government would(a) be liable in respect of categories of damages and (b) be liable for penalties to the contractor if the Government had not decided to proceed with BNRR. [53075]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Department has a copy of the construction contact let by MEL in 1992, although I understand MEL will be reviewing it in the light of decisions over the last six years. The Government have no direct liabilities to MEL's contractors.
Dr. Tony WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make public(a) part or (b) all of the concession agreement for the Birmingham Northern Relief Road under the Environmental Information Regulations 1992 in the event of the High Court ruling that he has a discretion. [53077]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI am considering the Judgment given on 29 July by the High Court.
Dr. Tony WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what categories of damage the Government would have been liable if they had decided not to proceed with the Birmingham Northern Relief Road; and what estimate was made of the size of the possible damages in such categories. [53078]
615W
§ Ms Glenda JacksonAs Section 1(4) of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 requires, the Birmingham Northern Relief Road Concession Agreement makes provision in certain circumstances for compensation payments to the Concessionaire in respect of costs incurred by him. The details are, however, confidential.