HC Deb 19 October 1999 vol 336 cc518-9W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contracts for the improvement of the A 13 have been let; when, under the terms of the contract, they were due to be completed; and when each contract is expected to be completed. [94365]

Mr. Hill

Three contracts have been let in recent years to improve the A13: West of Heathway to Thames Avenue, Thames Avenue to Wennington and Wennington to Mar Dyke.

The contractual completion dates are, respectively, May 1999, March 1997 and August 1998.

We expect the Heathway to Thames Avenue scheme to be finished around November/December 1999; the other two schemes were completed in May 1997 and October 1998 respectively.

The West of Heathway scheme has been delayed by problems with statutory undertaker's equipment and there have been some difficulties with the design and construction of a complex viaduct. The other two schemes were delayed because of problems with earthworks.