§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is for the use of concrete crash barriers; and if he will make a statement. [154471]
§ Mr. HillThe criteria for the provision of concrete crash barriers are contained in the Highway Agency's departmental standard TD 19/85 "Safety Fences and Barriers" and Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works Volume 1, Specification for Highway Works Series 400. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House.
Barriers are procured by competitive tender and unless local circumstances indicate, both steel and concrete barrier types may be used otherwise.
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§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the costs per kilometre are of(a) installing and (b) the whole life maintenance of (i) corrugated steel crash barriers, (ii) steel wire barriers and (iii) concrete crash barriers. [154473]
§ Mr. HillI have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from John Kerman to Mr. David Amess, dated 23 March 2001:
The Transport Minister, Keith Hill has asked Tim Matthews, Chief Executive of the Highways Agency to reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the costs of crash barriers. I am replying in the absence of Tim Matthews.
It is difficult to quote precise costs for any of these types of barrier as they will be influenced by both site conditions and the market forces prevailing at the time
However, the latest information available indicates that combined costs for both supply and installation of normal containment crash barriers are as follows:
Single sided corrugated steel barriers cost between £28k and £37k per kilometre, with the difference being accounted for by both the frequency of supports and the type of foundations used.
Steel wire rope safely barriers cost between £13k to £21k per kilometre, again with the difference being accounted for by both the frequency of supports and the type of foundations used.
Concrete barriers (operating at the same level of containment as both corrugated steel and steel wire rope barriers) cost approximately £45k per kilometre.
No whole life maintenance costing has been undertaken for any of these products and therefore it is not possible to answer part (b) of your question.
If you would like any further information about this matter, please contact Brian Hill, in Room 4/30, St. Christopher House, Southwark Street, London SEI 0TE (telephone 020 7921 4936).