Dr. Tony WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the projected costs to the public purse of works associated with the construction of the Birmingham Northern Relief Road. [43285]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonUnder the concession agreement with Midland Expressway Limited (MEL) the costs and risks of constructing the Birmingham Northern Relief Road (BNRR) and its link roads are for MEL. There are, of course, certain non-works costs involved in promoting a private finance scheme that fall to the Government.
Works associated with the BNRR include reconstruction of the existing M42 near Water Orton to enable its use by BNRR traffic. Under the agreement the major part of the costs of this work is to be met by MEL, but the Department is to contribute a share currently estimated at £20m. This provision reflects the fact that not all traffic on that section will use the BNRR.
Further costs to the public purse could result from any changes imposed by the Department to the specifications included in the Concession Agreement, for example changes reflecting revised engineering standards. Where imposed changes involve extra costs to the Concessionaire the Department must meet the costs involved. At present the costs of identified changes seem unlikely to exceed £1.5m.