§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what would be the saving in construction costs if the planned split-level roundabout proposal for the western end of the A27 Polegate bypass were to be replaced by an at-grade one. [35223]
§ Ms Glenda Jackson[holding answer 19 March 1998]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 20 March 1998:
The Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson, has asked me to reply to your parliamentary question asking what would be the saving in construction costs if the planned split level roundabout proposal for the western end of the A27 Polegate Bypass were to be replaced by an at-grade one.749WNo detailed analysis has been carried out, but we estimate that the savings would be in the order of £2.5 million. However, there could be additional costs to offset this. For example, if we were to put the junction at ground level the surplus material from the excavation of the split level roundabout would not be available for use as say, noise screens, and material would probably need to be brought in. There would also be the cost of designing the revised scheme.The Polegate Bypass has completed the statutory procedures and major changes now, such as making the Cophall junction at-grade, may require further orders (because of a knock-on effect to a side road and on the alignment of slip roads).The scheme is at present subject to the Review of the place of trunk roads in an integrated transport system.