§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales for how long there have been roadworks on the A449 between Monmouth and Newport; when they are planning to be completed; at what total cost; and for what reason information on the duration of the roadworks has not been provided. [55027]
Mr. Jon Owen Jones1. The A449/A40 between Monmouth and Newport was completed in 1972 with a design life of 20 years. By 1984, it had carried in excess of its design traffic and a programme of repair and reconstruction commenced. The three major contracts commenced in 1994, 1995 and 1997.
2. Expenditure to date has been £9 million on interim repairs and £24 million on reconstruction, including the current works.
1074W3. The current contract, between Coldra and Usk, is scheduled for completion in February 1999. Reconstruction of the carriageway between Raglan and Monmouth will also be required and is currently programmed, subject to available resources, to commence in 2001–02.
4. Information on the duration of the roadworks contracts has been extensively circulated by information leaflets distributed to interested parties and left at many locations in the area and also by press notices.