§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the cost of dealing with the backlog of maintenance on(a) trunk roads and motorways and (b) local authority roads. [58702]
§ Ms Glenda Jackson[holding answer 9 November 1998]: The Highways Agency estimates that some £300m per annum (1998–99 prices) is required for capital maintenance works to ensure that the condition of trunk roads does not worsen. This contrasts with the figures of £226m spent in 1996–97 and £219m in 1997–98 (Highways Agency Annual Reports). The allocation made in the Comprehensive Spending Review will be sufficient to enable us progressively to tackle the resulting backlog.
There is no central government estimate of a backlog of maintenance on local authority roads. The outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review was an increase 273W of £46m in each of the next three financial years in the Highways Maintenance Standards Spending Assessment which forms part of the calculation of Revenue Support Grant to local authorities. Local authority spending on non-principal road maintenance is funded entirely from this grant and local taxation. It is for the authorities to determine the level of expenditure necessary on these roads.
Maintenance of local authority principal roads is supported by resources from the local transport capital settlement. This funding is given following consideration of the bids made in each authority's Transport Policies and Programme submission. I am planning to announce the settlement for 1999–2000 in December.