§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Highways Agency will achieve a position of steady state maintenance on the bridges and other structures on the motorway and trunk road network in England; and what he expects will be the annual expenditure requirement to maintain that position once it is achieved. [97068]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 2 November 1999]: The Highways Agency has an ongoing programme of works to ensure all structures are safe and serviceable. The underlying maintenance regime already reflects a steady state position for the Highways Agency's bridges and other structures. In addition, there are programmes of targeted works from time to time to address safety and other issues. Currently there is still a small backlog of maintenance being tackled for rehabilitation of some of the older structures that do not fully meet modern standards.